MODERN SCALES · SCALE REFERENCE

Messiaen Mode 2 scale

Messiaen Mode 2 has 8 pitch classes. Its semitone formula from the root is 0 · 1 · 3 · 4 · 6 · 7 · 9 · 10. The example below starts on C; choose another root or tuning in the fretboard explorer.

Formula and notes in C

Half-whole diminished. Each step is the semitone distance to the next tone, with the last step returning to the root an octave higher.

Note in CIntervalSemitones from rootStep to next tone
CRoot01
C#Minor 2nd12
D#Minor 3rd31
EMajor 3rd42
F#Tritone61
GPerfect 5th72
AMajor 6th91
A#Minor 7th102

Names with this interval pattern in the catalog

These definitions use the same semitone pattern in Tunings. Their names and musical contexts can differ.

  • Messiaen Mode 2 — Modern Scales
  • Half-Whole Diminished (Dominant) — Symmetrical Scales

FREE FRETBOARD REFERENCE

C Messiaen Mode 2 on the fretboard

Find each scale tone in a catalog tuning. Filled notes marked R are roots; outlined notes are other tones. Open strings are fret 0.

6-String Guitar referenceStandard tuning and this scale

6-String Guitar · Standard · Frets 0–12 · All scale tones

C Messiaen Mode 2 in Standard on 6-String GuitarPhysical string order is preserved, with the first catalog string at the bottom. Read exact frets and pitches in the table below. Roots carry an R marker.0123456789101112E2A2D3G3B3E4String 1, fret 0: E2EString 1, fret 2: F#2F#String 1, fret 3: G2GString 1, fret 5: A2AString 1, fret 6: A#2A#String 1, fret 8: C3, rootCRString 1, fret 9: C#3C#String 1, fret 11: D#3D#String 1, fret 12: E3EString 2, fret 0: A2AString 2, fret 1: A#2A#String 2, fret 3: C3, rootCRString 2, fret 4: C#3C#String 2, fret 6: D#3D#String 2, fret 7: E3EString 2, fret 9: F#3F#String 2, fret 10: G3GString 2, fret 12: A3AString 3, fret 1: D#3D#String 3, fret 2: E3EString 3, fret 4: F#3F#String 3, fret 5: G3GString 3, fret 7: A3AString 3, fret 8: A#3A#String 3, fret 10: C4, rootCRString 3, fret 11: C#4C#String 4, fret 0: G3GString 4, fret 2: A3AString 4, fret 3: A#3A#String 4, fret 5: C4, rootCRString 4, fret 6: C#4C#String 4, fret 8: D#4D#String 4, fret 9: E4EString 4, fret 11: F#4F#String 4, fret 12: G4GString 5, fret 1: C4, rootCRString 5, fret 2: C#4C#String 5, fret 4: D#4D#String 5, fret 5: E4EString 5, fret 7: F#4F#String 5, fret 8: G4GString 5, fret 10: A4AString 5, fret 11: A#4A#String 6, fret 0: E4EString 6, fret 2: F#4F#String 6, fret 3: G4GString 6, fret 5: A4AString 6, fret 6: A#4A#String 6, fret 8: C5, rootCRString 6, fret 9: C#5C#String 6, fret 11: D#5D#String 6, fret 12: E5E

Notes-per-string views select the first matching scale tones on each string at or above the starting fret, within a 12-fret window. These are position studies: crossing strings can repeat or skip pitches. They are not guaranteed continuous ascending runs or finger assignments. Four-note layouts can require stretches or position shifts.

Fret positions and pitches · first catalog string to last
Open stringFretsNotes with octaves
1 · E20 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 6 · 8 · 9 · 11 · 12E2 · F#2 · G2 · A2 · A#2 · C3 · C#3 · D#3 · E3
2 · A20 · 1 · 3 · 4 · 6 · 7 · 9 · 10 · 12A2 · A#2 · C3 · C#3 · D#3 · E3 · F#3 · G3 · A3
3 · D31 · 2 · 4 · 5 · 7 · 8 · 10 · 11D#3 · E3 · F#3 · G3 · A3 · A#3 · C4 · C#4
4 · G30 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 6 · 8 · 9 · 11 · 12G3 · A3 · A#3 · C4 · C#4 · D#4 · E4 · F#4 · G4
5 · B31 · 2 · 4 · 5 · 7 · 8 · 10 · 11C4 · C#4 · D#4 · E4 · F#4 · G4 · A4 · A#4
6 · E40 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 6 · 8 · 9 · 11 · 12E4 · F#4 · G4 · A4 · A#4 · C5 · C#5 · D#5 · E5

Major and minor chords contained in the C example

C MajorC MinorEb MajorEb MinorF# MajorF# MinorA MajorA Minor

Scales with nearby interval patterns

Compare these formulas at the same root to see which tones change.

Hungarian MajorTritoneDorian b2 (Phrygian #6)Locrian Natural 6

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