A Messiaen's Mode #4 Guitar Scale

A Messiaen's Mode #4 in Drop D — Notes and Intervals

The A Messiaen's Mode #4 scale is a symmetrical scale designed to have no single tonic. On Guitar, the notes are A, Bb, B, D, D#, E, F, G#. Messiaen used it to create what he called the charm of impossibilities, evoking a sense of spiritual wonder where the listener loses their sense of direction. Commonly used in Contemporary Classical, Film Scores, Experimental. Notable players include Olivier Messiaen. Use for avant-garde composition and film scoring where traditional tonal direction should dissolve.

Notes: A, Bb, B, D, D#, E, F, G#

Intervals: 1P, 2m, 2M, 4P, 4A, 5P, 6m, 7M

Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 #5 6 b7 8

Formula: H-H-WH-H-H-H-WH-H

Number of notes: 8

Tuning: Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

• A Messiaen's Mode #4 in Standard Tuning
• A Messiaen's Mode #4 in DADGAD
• A Messiaen's Mode #4 in Open G
• A Messiaen's Mode #4 in Baritone (B Standard)
• A Messiaen's Mode #4 in 7-string
• A Messiaen's Mode #4 in 8-string
• A Messiaen's Mode #4 in Drop C
• A Messiaen's Mode #4 in Drop B
• A Messiaen's Mode #4 in Open D
• A Messiaen's Mode #4 in Half Step Down
• A Messiaen's Mode #4 in Open E
• A Messiaen's Mode #4 in Open A
• A Messiaen's Mode #4 in Double Drop D
• A Messiaen's Mode #4 in Open C

← All Guitar scales in Drop D tuning