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B messiaen's mode #5 Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, E#, F#, A#, B, C, E at frets 0, 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 12

A string: A#, B, C, E, E#, F# at frets 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9

D string: E, E#, F#, A#, B, C at frets 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10

G string: A#, B, C, E, E#, F# at frets 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11

B string: B, C, E, E#, F#, A#, B at frets 0, 1, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12

High E string: E, E#, F#, A#, B, C, E at frets 0, 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 12

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B messiaen's mode #5

Messiaen's mode 5 is the smallest of Messiaen's modes: six notes in the pattern half step, major 3rd, half step, repeated, with the tritone as its axis of symmetry. It contains two chromatic clusters a tritone apart and nothing in between, more a sonority than a melody source. Composers use it for static, bell-like harmonic fields.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

B

I

C

bII

E

IV

E♯

#IV

F♯

V

A♯

VII

messiaen's mode #5 in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Six notes on B, two chromatic clusters a tritone apart: root, b2 (C), IV and their mirror #4 (F), V, VII.
  • Treat it as harmony, not melody: sustain cluster voicings (root-b2 together, or IV-#4) for bell-like fields.
  • The tritone (root to #4 (F)) is the axis: phrases that swap the two clusters across it sound composed rather than random.
  • Use long decay: let notes overlap on separate strings; struck as chords it shimmers, run as a scale it stumbles.

How to play B messiaen's mode #5 on guitar

Open B is a root and both E strings the fourth over it, so three open strings ring under first position. Leave the open B aside and fretted roots begin at 2 on the A, 4 on the G and 7 on both E strings. Lowest root sits at 7, so box one covers 7 through 10. Capo fret 2 lands you in A.

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