A Messiaen's Mode #4 Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Half Step Down tuning — fretboard diagram
A Messiaen's Mode #4 in Half Step Down — 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: Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- A Messiaen's Mode #4 in Standard Tuning
- A Messiaen's Mode #4 in Drop D
- 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 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