C Messiaen's Mode #4 Guitar Scale

Guitar scale in Open E tuning — fretboard diagram

C messiaen's mode #4 scale — 6-string guitar fretboard diagramInteractive fretboard diagram showing the C messiaen's mode #4 scale on 6-string guitar with 22 frets. Notes: F, F#, G, G#, B, C, C#, D.FF#GG#BCC#DFF#GG#BCC#DBCC#DFF#GG#BCC#DFF#GG#G#BCC#DFF#GG#BCC#DFF#FF#GG#BCC#DFF#GG#BCC#DBCC#DFF#GG#BCC#DFF#GG#FF#GG#BCC#DFF#GG#BCC#D1357911121315171921

C Messiaen's Mode #4 in Open E — Notes and Intervals

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

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 E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

← All Guitar scales in Open E tuning