C Mystery #1 Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagramAdvanced
What chords fit over C Mystery #1?
Open C Mystery #1 HarmonizerC Mystery #1 Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C Mystery #1 scale is a rare and experimental synthetic scale found in modern music theory. On Guitar, its notes are C, Db, E, Gb, Ab, Bb. It is typically associated with generative music and computer-aided composition where traditional rules of melody and harmony are intentionally broken. Commonly used in Experimental, Computer Music, Avant-Garde. Used in experimental, non-functional contexts. A compositional curiosity for exploring unconventional melodic paths.
Notes: C, Db, E, Gb, Ab, Bb
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3M, 5d, 6m, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 b5 b6
Formula: H-WH-W-W-W-W
Number of notes: 6
Musical Character
A rare synthetic scale from modern music theory, associated with generative and computer-aided composition where traditional rules are intentionally broken.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Experimental, Computer Music, Avant-Garde
How to Use the C Mystery #1 Scale
Used in experimental, non-functional contexts. A compositional curiosity for exploring unconventional melodic paths.
Origin & Background
A modern theoretical construct found in contemporary music theory databases. Used primarily in experimental composition.
How to Play C Mystery #1 on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 8 on the 6th (low E) to find your C root note. Use a three-notes-per-string fingering to cover the full scale in one position, or learn the CAGED shapes to navigate the entire fretboard. An alternative starting point is open position.
The C Mystery #1 scale contains 4 flats (Db, Gb, Ab, Bb). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Begin by playing the C Mystery #1 scale ascending and descending at 100 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (C-E, Db-Gb) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on C to let the characteristic intervals of the Mystery #1 scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in experimental contexts.
Guitar Tips
Use hybrid picking (pick + fingers) when playing the C Mystery #1 scale on guitar to access wider intervals and string skips that a pick alone cannot handle efficiently. Aim for a abstract quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
The C Mystery #1 scale contains 6 notes (C, Db, E, Gb, Ab, Bb). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each shape and pattern on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges. Practice ascending and descending from the root note to learn the sound of this scale.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for C Mystery #1
The C Mystery #1 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 6-note pentatonic scale, 2-notes-per-string patterns are the most ergonomic way to traverse the fretboard. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore C Mystery #1 Further
- Harmonize the C Mystery #1 scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- C Mystery #1 on Ukulele
- C Mystery #1 on Bass
- C Mystery #1 on Piano
Explore C Mystery #1 in Other Tunings
- C Mystery #1 in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Mystery #1 in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- C Mystery #1 in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- C Mystery #1 in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- C Mystery #1 in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- C Mystery #1 in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- C Mystery #1 in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- C Mystery #1 in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- C Mystery #1 in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- C Mystery #1 in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- C Mystery #1 in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- C Mystery #1 in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- C Mystery #1 in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Mystery #1 in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)