B Messiaen's Mode #4 Ukulele Scale
Ukulele scale — fretboard diagram
B Messiaen's Mode #4 Scale — Notes and Intervals
The B Messiaen's Mode #4 scale is a symmetrical scale designed to have no single tonic. On Ukulele, the notes are B, C, C#, E, F, F#, G, A#. 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: B, C, C#, E, F, F#, G, A#
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 B Messiaen's Mode #4 on Ukulele
On ukulele, find B on the fret 2 area, and 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 B Messiaen's Mode #4 scale contains 3 sharps (C#, F#, A#). 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 B Messiaen's Mode #4 scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (B-C#, C-E) 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 B to let the characteristic intervals of the Messiaen's Mode #4 scale come through clearly.
Ukulele Tips
The compact fretboard of the ukulele makes the B Messiaen's Mode #4 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 B Messiaen's Mode #4 scale contains 8 notes (B, C, C#, E, F, F#, G, A#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for B Messiaen's Mode #4
The B 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 B Messiaen's Mode #4 Further
- Harmonize the B Messiaen's Mode #4 scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- B Messiaen's Mode #4 on Guitar
- B Messiaen's Mode #4 on Bass
- B Messiaen's Mode #4 on Piano