STRINGSCALES

C mystery #1 Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db, E at frets 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12

A string: Bb, C, Db, E, Gb, Ab at frets 1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 11

D string: E, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db at frets 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11

G string: Ab, Bb, C, Db, E, Gb at frets 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 11

B string: C, Db, E, Gb, Ab, Bb at frets 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 11

High E string: E, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db, E at frets 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12

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C mystery #1

The mystery #1 scale is a six note synthetic set: root, flat 2nd, major 3rd, flat 5th, flat 6th, flat 7th. From the 3rd upward it walks in whole steps, so it behaves like a whole tone scale that has been given a dark flat 2nd doorstep. The name comes from scale catalogues rather than tradition; treat it as raw material for atmospheric, unresolved lines.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

C

I

D♭

bII

E

III

G♭

bV

A♭

bVI

B♭

bVII

mystery #1 in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • A whole tone scale with a dark doorstep: enter on b2 (Db), then glide in whole steps from III to bVII (Bb).
  • Use it over a C7b9#5 vamp; the b2 (Db) is the b9, the b6 (Ab) the #5 (G#), and the whole tone upper half supplies the rest.
  • The name comes from scale catalogues, not tradition: treat it as raw material for atmosphere and sound design.
  • Alternate it with the plain whole tone scale to reveal the single half step; that contrast is its identity.

How to play C mystery #1 on guitar

Both E strings are the only opens in this key, ringing the major third above C, so open-string support is thin but real at either end of the range. An augmented second sits inside the scale, one of its defining steps. Roots wait at fret 8 on both E strings and fret 3 on the A string, which means the E-shape and A-shape barres stack in the same zone. First position gives out at fret 12.

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