A Messiaen's Mode #7 Timple Canario Scale
Timple Canario scale — fretboard diagram
A Messiaen's Mode #7 Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A Messiaen's Mode #7 scale is a nearly-chromatic scale that serves as the parent for many other symmetrical systems. On Timple Canario, the notes are A, Bb, B, C, D, D#, E, F, F#, G#. It represents divine authority and the vast, complex forces of the universe in Messiaen's musical language. Commonly used in Contemporary Classical, Experimental, Avant-Garde. Notable players include Olivier Messiaen. Use in complex, multi-layered compositions. Its near-chromatic density provides maximum harmonic flexibility.
Notes: A, Bb, B, C, D, D#, E, F, F#, G#
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 2M, 3m, 4P, 4A, 5P, 6m, 6M, 7M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 b4 5 #6 7 b8 9 10
Formula: H-H-H-W-H-H-H-H-W-H
Number of notes: 10
How to Play A Messiaen's Mode #7 on Timple Canario
Begin by locating A on your instrument and play through the 10 notes of the Messiaen's Mode #7 scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The A Messiaen's Mode #7 scale contains both sharps and flats (3 sharps, 1 flat), which is common in altered and exotic scales. This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the A Messiaen's Mode #7 scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (A-B, Bb-C) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on A to let the characteristic intervals of the Messiaen's Mode #7 scale come through clearly.
Timple Canario Tips
Practice the A Messiaen's Mode #7 scale slowly and evenly on your instrument, focusing on tone quality for each of the 10 notes before building speed.
The A Messiaen's Mode #7 scale contains 10 notes (A, Bb, B, C, D, D#, E, F, F#, G#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Timple Canario with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for A Messiaen's Mode #7
The A Messiaen's Mode #7 scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 10-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.