A# Messiaen's Mode #6 Ukulele Scale
Ukulele scale — fretboard diagram
A# Messiaen's Mode #6 Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A# Messiaen's Mode #6 scale is a symmetrical scale associated with radiance and light. On Ukulele, its notes are A#, C, D, D#, E, E##, F###, A. It creates a uniform coloration that transcends traditional keys, making the music sound brilliant and enlightened. Commonly used in Contemporary Classical, Sacred Music, Experimental. Notable players include Olivier Messiaen. Use for creating a sense of radiant, enlightened calm. Best in sustained, atmospheric contexts.
Notes: A#, C, D, D#, E, E##, F###, A
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 4P, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 #5 #6 #7 8
Formula: W-W-H-H-W-W-H-H
Number of notes: 8
How to Play A# Messiaen's Mode #6 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 #6 scale contains 4 sharps (A#, D#, E##, F###). 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# Messiaen's Mode #6 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.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on A# to let the characteristic intervals of the Messiaen's Mode #6 scale come through clearly.
Ukulele Tips
The compact fretboard of the ukulele makes the A# Messiaen's Mode #6 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# Messiaen's Mode #6 scale contains 8 notes (A#, C, D, D#, E, E##, F###, A). 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 #6
The A# Messiaen's Mode #6 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 #6 Further
- Harmonize the A# Messiaen's Mode #6 scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- A# Messiaen's Mode #6 on Guitar
- A# Messiaen's Mode #6 on Bass
- A# Messiaen's Mode #6 on Piano