F Messiaen's Mode #4 Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Half Step Down tuning — fretboard diagram
F Messiaen's Mode #4 in Half Step Down — Notes and Intervals
The F Messiaen's Mode #4 scale is a symmetrical scale designed to have no single tonic. On Guitar, the notes are F, Gb, G, Bb, B, C, Db, E. 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: F, Gb, G, Bb, B, C, Db, E
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
- F Messiaen's Mode #4 in Standard Tuning
- F Messiaen's Mode #4 in Drop D
- F Messiaen's Mode #4 in DADGAD
- F Messiaen's Mode #4 in Open G
- F Messiaen's Mode #4 in Baritone (B Standard)
- F Messiaen's Mode #4 in 7-string
- F Messiaen's Mode #4 in 8-string
- F Messiaen's Mode #4 in Drop C
- F Messiaen's Mode #4 in Drop B
- F Messiaen's Mode #4 in Open D
- F Messiaen's Mode #4 in Open E
- F Messiaen's Mode #4 in Open A
- F Messiaen's Mode #4 in Double Drop D
- F Messiaen's Mode #4 in Open C