B Messiaen's Mode #4 Guitar Scale

Guitar scale in Open A tuning — fretboard diagram

B messiaen's mode #4 scale — 6-string guitar fretboard diagramInteractive fretboard diagram showing the B messiaen's mode #4 scale on 6-string guitar with 22 frets. Notes: E, F, F#, G, A#, B, C, C#.EFF#GA#BCC#EFF#GA#BCC#C#EFF#GA#BCC#EFF#GA#BA#BCC#EFF#GA#BCC#EFF#GEFF#GA#BCC#EFF#GA#BCC#A#BCC#EFF#GA#BCC#EFF#GEFF#GA#BCC#EFF#GA#BCC#1357911121315171921

B Messiaen's Mode #4 in Open A — Notes and Intervals

The B Messiaen's Mode #4 scale is a symmetrical scale designed to have no single tonic. On Guitar, the notes are B, C, C#, E, F, F#, G, A#. 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: B, C, C#, E, F, F#, G, A#

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: Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

← All Guitar scales in Open A tuning