A# Enigmatic Ukulele Scale
Ukulele scale — fretboard diagram
A# Enigmatic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A# Enigmatic scale was invented as a musical puzzle and famously used by Giuseppe Verdi. On Ukulele, the notes are A#, B, D, E, F#, G#, A. It has an unstable and surreal sound because it lacks the traditional fourth and fifth degrees, creating a gliding effect that challenges the listener's expectations. Commonly used in Classical, Experimental, Film Scores. Notable players include Giuseppe Verdi, Igor Stravinsky. Not chord-specific — this is a melodic scale for creating surreal, non-functional passages. Use over sustained pedal tones or atonal contexts.
Notes: A#, B, D, E, F#, G#, A
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3M, 5d, 6m, 7m, 7M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 b5 b6 7
Formula: H-WH-W-W-W-H-H
Number of notes: 7
How to Play A# Enigmatic 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 7 notes. Practice each position separately before linking them together.
The A# Enigmatic scale contains 3 sharps (A#, F#, G#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the A# Enigmatic scale in groups of four notes, shifting the starting note each repetition. This builds muscle memory across the entire scale range. After a week, try improvising short 4-bar phrases using only these notes.
Exotic scales like the Enigmatic often work best as a melodic layer over a single root drone on A#. Let the unique intervals speak for themselves without frequent chord changes.
Ukulele Tips
The compact fretboard of the ukulele makes the A# Enigmatic scale easy to visualize in a single position. Use this to your advantage by memorizing the scale shape relative to chord shapes you already know.
The A# Enigmatic scale contains 7 notes (A#, B, D, E, F#, G#, A). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for A# Enigmatic
The A# Enigmatic 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 7-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# Enigmatic Further
- Harmonize the A# Enigmatic scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- A# Enigmatic on Guitar
- A# Enigmatic on Bass
- A# Enigmatic on Piano