C messiaen's mode #7 chords

All ukulele chords for the C messiaen's mode #7 scale

Show scale diagram ↓
Harmony
Originalii–V–ISec. Dom.

C messiaen's mode #7 scale diatonic chords

ID m7
GCEA2213
5frGCEA11117frGCEA221310frGCEA1324
IIE♭ m7
GCEA2213
6frGCEA11118frGCEA221311frGCEA1324
IIID unknown
D - F - G
IVE♭ unknown
E♭ - F♯ - A♭
VF unknown
F - G - A
VIA♭ m7
GCEA2213
4frGCEA13247frGCEA221311frGCEA1111
VIIA m7
GCEA
GCEA22135frGCEA13248frGCEA2213
VIIIA♭ unknown
A♭ - B - D♭
IXA unknown
A - C - D
XB unknown
B - D♭ - E♭

C messiaen's mode #7 scale seventh chords

IC unknown
C - D - F - G
IIC♯ unknown
D♭ - E♭ - F♯ - A♭
IIID unknown
D - F - G - A
IVA♭ m7
GCEA2213
4frGCEA13247frGCEA221311frGCEA1111
VF unknown
F - G - A - C
VIF♯ unknown
F♯ - A♭ - B - D♭
VIIG unknown
G - A - C - D
VIIIA♭ unknown
A♭ - B - D♭ - E♭
IXD m7
GCEA2213
5frGCEA11117frGCEA221310frGCEA1324
XB unknown
B - D♭ - E♭ - F♯

scale

Ukulele fretboard diagram

C messiaen's mode #7 scale — ukulele fretboard diagramInteractive fretboard diagram showing the C messiaen's mode #7 scale on ukulele with 15 frets. Notes: A, B, C, C#, D, D#, F, F#, G, G#.ABCC#DD#FF#GG#ABCFF#GG#ABCC#DD#FF#GCC#DD#FF#GG#ABCC#DD#GG#ABCC#DD#FF#GG#A13579111213

C messiaen's mode #7 scale — ukulele chords and intervals

The harmonized C messiaen's mode #7 scale produces a near-chromatic chord family that serves as the parent for many other symmetrical chord systems. The chords from C messiaen's mode #7 are D minor seventh, Eb minor seventh, D unknown, Eb unknown, F unknown, Ab minor seventh, A minor seventh, Ab unknown, A unknown, B unknown. With maximum harmonic density, these chords represent the full spectrum of tonal possibility. They are used in Messiaen's music to express divine authority and the vast, complex forces of the universe. Commonly used in Contemporary Classical, Experimental, Avant-Garde. Notable players include Olivier Messiaen.

The C messiaen's mode #7 scale has the following degrees: 1 ♭2 2 ♭3 4 ♯4 5 ♭6 6 7.

Intervals: H-H-H-W-H-H-H-H-W-H.

Diatonic chords: D minor seventh, Eb minor seventh, D unknown, Eb unknown, F unknown, Ab minor seventh, A minor seventh, Ab unknown, A unknown, B unknown.

DegreesChord
ID minor seventh
iiEb minor seventh
iiiD unknown
IVEb unknown
VF unknown
viAb minor seventh
vii°A minor seventh
8Ab unknown
9A unknown
10B unknown

Degree-by-Degree Analysis

The I chord (D minor seventh) is the tonic — the gravitational center of the key. The ii chord (Eb minor seventh) is the minor subdominant, commonly used to approach the V chord. The iii chord (D unknown) functions as a substitute for the I or vi. The IV chord (Eb unknown) is the subdominant — it adds motion and moderate tension. The V chord (F unknown) is the dominant — it creates the strongest tension that wants to resolve to the I. The vi chord (Ab minor seventh) is the relative minor — it brings emotional color and depth. The vii° chord (A minor seventh) is the diminished — the most tense, rarely used alone, usually leading to the I.

This page focuses on the harmonic content — the chords built from each degree of the C messiaen's mode #7 scale. For fretboard patterns and fingering guides, see the scale page.

Use the interactive harmonizer above to explore triads, seventh chords, and chord voicings for composing with the C messiaen's mode #7 scale on ukulele.

Related Scales

How to Use This Scale

Use in complex, multi-layered compositions. Its near-chromatic density provides maximum harmonic flexibility.

Explore C messiaen's mode #7 Further