A Enigmatic Cavaquinho Scale
Cavaquinho scale — fretboard diagramAdvanced
A Enigmatic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A Enigmatic scale was invented as a musical puzzle and famously used by Giuseppe Verdi. On Cavaquinho, the notes are A, Bb, C#, Eb, F, G, G#. It has an unstable and surreal sound because it lacks the traditional fourth and fifth degrees, creating a gliding effect that challenges the listener's expectations. Commonly used in Classical, Experimental, Film Scores. Notable players include Giuseppe Verdi, Igor Stravinsky. Not chord-specific — this is a melodic scale for creating surreal, non-functional passages. Use over sustained pedal tones or atonal contexts.
Notes: A, Bb, C#, Eb, F, G, G#
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3M, 5d, 6m, 7m, 7M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 b5 b6 7
Formula: H-WH-W-W-W-H-H
Number of notes: 7
Musical Character
Invented as a musical puzzle — lacks the traditional 4th and 5th degrees, creating a gliding, rootless sensation. Verdi used it in his Ave Maria to challenge conventional harmony.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Classical, Experimental, Film Scores
Notable players: Giuseppe Verdi, Igor Stravinsky
How to Use the A Enigmatic Scale
Not chord-specific — this is a melodic scale for creating surreal, non-functional passages. Use over sustained pedal tones or atonal contexts.
Origin & Background
Created as a musical enigma and famously used by Giuseppe Verdi in his Quattro Pezzi Sacri (1898).
How to Play A Enigmatic on Cavaquinho
Begin by locating A on your instrument and play through the 7 notes of the Enigmatic scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The A Enigmatic scale contains both sharps and flats (2 sharps, 2 flats), which is common in altered and exotic scales. This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Practice the A Enigmatic scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 100 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 7 notes of the scale.
Exotic scales like the Enigmatic often work best as a melodic layer over a single root drone on A. Let the unique intervals speak for themselves without frequent chord changes. This scale is especially effective in film scores contexts.
Cavaquinho Tips
Practice the A Enigmatic scale slowly and evenly on your instrument, focusing on tone quality for each of the 7 notes before building speed. Aim for a surreal quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
The A Enigmatic scale contains 7 notes (A, Bb, C#, Eb, F, G, G#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Cavaquinho with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for A Enigmatic
The A Enigmatic scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 7-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore A Enigmatic Further
- Browse chord progressions
- A Enigmatic on Guitar
- A Enigmatic on Ukulele
- A Enigmatic on Bass
- A Enigmatic on Piano