E Messiaen's Mode #7 Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Double Drop D tuning — fretboard diagram
E Messiaen's Mode #7 in Double Drop D — Notes and Intervals
The E Messiaen's Mode #7 scale is a nearly-chromatic scale that serves as the parent for many other symmetrical systems. On Guitar, the notes are E, F, F#, G, A, A#, B, C, C#, D#. It represents divine authority and the vast, complex forces of the universe in Messiaen's musical language. Commonly used in Contemporary Classical, Experimental, Avant-Garde. Notable players include Olivier Messiaen. Use in complex, multi-layered compositions. Its near-chromatic density provides maximum harmonic flexibility.
Notes: E, F, F#, G, A, A#, B, C, C#, D#
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 2M, 3m, 4P, 4A, 5P, 6m, 6M, 7M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 b4 5 #6 7 b8 9 10
Formula: H-H-H-W-H-H-H-H-W-H
Number of notes: 10
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 nearly-chromatic scale that serves as the parent for many other symmetrical systems. Represents 'divine authority and the vast forces of the universe' in Messiaen's musical theology.
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- E Messiaen's Mode #7 in Standard Tuning
- E Messiaen's Mode #7 in Drop D
- E Messiaen's Mode #7 in DADGAD
- E Messiaen's Mode #7 in Open G
- E Messiaen's Mode #7 in Baritone (B Standard)
- E Messiaen's Mode #7 in 7-string
- E Messiaen's Mode #7 in 8-string
- E Messiaen's Mode #7 in Drop C
- E Messiaen's Mode #7 in Drop B
- E Messiaen's Mode #7 in Open D
- E Messiaen's Mode #7 in Half Step Down
- E Messiaen's Mode #7 in Open E
- E Messiaen's Mode #7 in Open A
- E Messiaen's Mode #7 in Open C