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

Low E string: F#, G, Ab, C, C#, D at frets 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10

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

D string: D, F#, G, Ab, C, C#, D at frets 0, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12

G string: G, Ab, C, C#, D, F#, G at frets 0, 1, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12

B string: C, C#, D, F#, G, Ab at frets 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9

High E string: F#, G, Ab, C, C#, D at frets 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10

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G 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:

G

I

A♭

bII

C

IV

C♯

#IV

D

V

F♯

VII

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

tip
  • Six notes on G, two chromatic clusters a tritone apart: root, b2 (Ab), IV and their mirror #4 (C#), 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 (C#)) 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 G messiaen's mode #5 on guitar

Open G is a root and open D the fifth above it, so a pedal is available before a finger goes down. Away from that open G, fretted roots start at 3 on both E strings, 5 on the D and 8 on the B. Shift the identical fingering 6 semitones for Db, meaning one shape does double duty. Two sharps in the key.

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