A Messiaen's Mode #4 Ukulele Scale
Ukulele scale — fretboard diagram
A Messiaen's Mode #4 Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A Messiaen's Mode #4 scale is a symmetrical scale designed to have no single tonic. On Ukulele, the notes are A, Bb, B, D, D#, E, F, G#. 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: A, Bb, B, D, D#, E, F, G#
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
How to Play A Messiaen's Mode #4 on Ukulele
On ukulele, find A on the open strings or work through the scale within a four-fret span. You may need to shift positions once to cover all 8 notes. Practice each position separately before linking them together.
The A Messiaen's Mode #4 scale contains both sharps and flats (2 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
Practice the A Messiaen's Mode #4 scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 80 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 8 notes of the scale.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on A to let the characteristic intervals of the Messiaen's Mode #4 scale come through clearly.
Ukulele Tips
On ukulele, the A Messiaen's Mode #4 scale sounds particularly charming when played as a melodic pattern over fingerpicked chord shapes. Try integrating scale tones into your strumming patterns for a more sophisticated sound.
The A Messiaen's Mode #4 scale contains 8 notes (A, Bb, B, D, D#, E, F, G#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for A Messiaen's Mode #4
The A Messiaen's Mode #4 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 8-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.
Explore A Messiaen's Mode #4 Further
- Harmonize the A Messiaen's Mode #4 scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- A Messiaen's Mode #4 on Guitar
- A Messiaen's Mode #4 on Bass
- A Messiaen's Mode #4 on Piano