STRINGSCALES

A scriabin Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F#, A, Bb, C#, E at frets 0, 2, 5, 6, 9, 12

A string: A, Bb, C#, E, F#, A at frets 0, 1, 4, 7, 9, 12

D string: E, F#, A, Bb, C# at frets 2, 4, 7, 8, 11

G string: A, Bb, C#, E, F# at frets 2, 3, 6, 9, 11

B string: C#, E, F#, A, Bb at frets 2, 5, 7, 10, 11

High E string: E, F#, A, Bb, C#, E at frets 0, 2, 5, 6, 9, 12

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A scriabin

The scriabin scale is a five note synthetic set associated with the Russian composer Alexander Scriabin: root, flat 2nd, major 3rd, 5th, 6th. The flat 2nd against an otherwise bright major frame produces the mystical, unresolved color of his late piano works. It behaves like an exotic major pentatonic: familiar shape, alien opening interval.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

A

I

B♭

bII

C♯

III

E

V

F♯

VI

scriabin in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Play it as a warped major pentatonic: familiar shape, but the flat 2nd (Bb) replaces the 2nd; open phrases with that half step.
  • Over a major triad drone on A, alternate b2 (Bb) and III: the mystic-chord composer's signature shadow-and-light.
  • Use the 6th (F#) as your resting tone when the root feels too obvious; the scale rewards unresolved endings.
  • Sequence the scale in 4ths rather than steps; Scriabin's harmony was built on 4ths, and the scale falls onto them naturally.

How to play A scriabin on guitar

Open A is the tonic and both E strings give you the fifth, so an open drone under a phrase costs nothing. Root on the open A string puts fret 0 in play, which means box shapes can start in open position. Lowest root is fret 5 on the low E. First shape stops working at fret 9, and an augmented second inside it puts a three-fret gap on one string.

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