E Scriabin Guitar Scale

E Scriabin Scale — Notes and Intervals

The E Scriabin scale is a synthetic six-note scale that reflects Alexander Scriabin's interest in creating a new harmonic language. On Guitar, its notes are E, F, G#, B, C#. It acts as a bridge between different symmetrical worlds, offering a unique, hovering sound. Commonly used in Contemporary Classical, Experimental. Notable players include Alexander Scriabin. Use in experimental and avant-garde contexts. Not designed for standard chord-scale theory.

Notes: E, F, G#, B, C#

Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3M, 5P, 6M

Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 5

Formula: H-WH-WH-W-WH

Number of notes: 5

Musical Character

A bridge between different symmetrical scale worlds — creating a hovering, searching quality that refuses to settle.

Genres & Notable Artists

Genres: Contemporary Classical, Experimental

Notable players: Alexander Scriabin

How to Use the E Scriabin Scale

Use in experimental and avant-garde contexts. Not designed for standard chord-scale theory.

Origin & Background

Part of Alexander Scriabin's synthetic harmonic language, designed to create a new musical universe beyond traditional tonality.

How to Play E Scriabin on Guitar

Start the E Scriabin scale in open position, taking advantage of the open E string. With only 5 notes, this scale fits comfortably in a two-notes-per-string pattern across all six strings. Focus on learning a single box shape first before connecting positions.

The E Scriabin scale contains 2 sharps (G#, C#). 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 E Scriabin scale ascending and descending at 100 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (E-G#, F-B) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.

This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in E. Try a E5 - B5 - C#5 progression. This scale is especially effective in contemporary classical contexts.

Guitar Tips

Use hybrid picking (pick + fingers) when playing the E Scriabin scale on guitar to access wider intervals and string skips that a pick alone cannot handle efficiently. Aim for a hovering quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.

Related Scales

• E Prometheus
• E Prometheus neapolitan
• E Whole tone

The E Scriabin scale contains 5 notes (E, F, G#, B, C#). 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 E Scriabin

The E Scriabin 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 5-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 E Scriabin Further

• Harmonize the E Scriabin scale — triads & 7th chords
• Browse chord progressions
• E Scriabin on Ukulele
• E Scriabin on Bass
• E Scriabin on Piano

Explore E Scriabin in Other Tunings

• E Scriabin in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
• E Scriabin in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
• E Scriabin in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
• E Scriabin in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
• E Scriabin in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
• E Scriabin in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
• E Scriabin in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
• E Scriabin in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
• E Scriabin in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
• E Scriabin in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
• E Scriabin in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
• E Scriabin in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
• E Scriabin in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
• E Scriabin in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)

← Back to all Guitar scales