E Messiaen's Mode #3 Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Double Drop D tuning — fretboard diagram
E Messiaen's Mode #3 in Double Drop D — Notes and Intervals
The E Messiaen's Mode #3 scale is a complex nine-note symmetrical scale used by Olivier Messiaen. On Guitar, its notes are E, F#, G, G#, A#, B, C, D, D#. It creates a cosmic, suspended tonality that feels both religious and scientific, evoking a sense of divine awe. Commonly used in Contemporary Classical, Film Scores, Ambient, Experimental. Notable players include Olivier Messiaen, Gyorgy Ligeti, Thomas Ades. Use for creating atmospheres of 'cosmic awe'. Not bound to traditional chord progressions — works best over sustained harmonies or ostinato patterns.
Notes: E, F#, G, G#, A#, B, C, D, D#
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 3M, 4A, 5P, 6m, 7m, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 #5 6 b7 b8 9
Formula: W-H-H-W-H-H-W-H-H
Number of notes: 9
Tuning: Double Drop D (D-A-D-G-B-D)
About Double Drop D Tuning
Double Drop D tuning (D-A-D-G-B-D) lowers both the 6th and 1st strings from E to D, creating a symmetrical frame of D notes around the standard middle four strings. This gives a distinctly resonant, jangly character that has been beloved in folk-rock and acoustic music since the late 1960s.
Neil Young used Double Drop D extensively — 'Cinnamon Girl' features its distinctive droning riff, and 'The Needle and the Damage Done' showcases its intimate fingerpicking potential. Jimmy Page used it on Led Zeppelin's 'Going to California'. Fleetwood Mac's 'The Chain' also employs this tuning. Because only two strings change (both by just one whole step), Double Drop D is one of the easiest alternate tunings to learn — most standard chord shapes on the inner four strings remain unchanged.
Notable artists: Neil Young, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Fleetwood Mac, Crosby Stills Nash & Young
Best for: Folk-rock songwriting, D-centric acoustic arrangements, droning fingerpicking patterns, and any song that benefits from rich D-string resonance on both outer strings
Musical Character
A 9-note scale with limited transposition — only 4 unique transpositions exist before repeating. Creates a cosmic, suspended tonality that is neither major nor minor but something transcendent.
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- E Messiaen's Mode #3 in Standard Tuning
- E Messiaen's Mode #3 in Drop D
- E Messiaen's Mode #3 in DADGAD
- E Messiaen's Mode #3 in Open G
- E Messiaen's Mode #3 in Baritone (B Standard)
- E Messiaen's Mode #3 in 7-string
- E Messiaen's Mode #3 in 8-string
- E Messiaen's Mode #3 in Drop C
- E Messiaen's Mode #3 in Drop B
- E Messiaen's Mode #3 in Open D
- E Messiaen's Mode #3 in Half Step Down
- E Messiaen's Mode #3 in Open E
- E Messiaen's Mode #3 in Open A
- E Messiaen's Mode #3 in Open C