G# Messiaen's Mode #4 Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open C tuning — fretboard diagram
G# Messiaen's Mode #4 in Open C — Notes and Intervals
The G# Messiaen's Mode #4 scale is a symmetrical scale designed to have no single tonic. On Guitar, the notes are G#, A, A#, C#, D, D#, E, G. Messiaen used it to create what he called the charm of impossibilities, evoking a sense of spiritual wonder where the listener loses their sense of direction. Commonly used in Contemporary Classical, Film Scores, Experimental. Notable players include Olivier Messiaen. Use for avant-garde composition and film scoring where traditional tonal direction should dissolve.
Notes: G#, A, A#, C#, D, D#, E, G
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 2M, 4P, 4A, 5P, 6m, 7M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 #5 6 b7 8
Formula: H-H-WH-H-H-H-WH-H
Number of notes: 8
Tuning: Open C (C-G-C-G-C-E)
About Open C Tuning
Open C tuning (C-G-C-G-C-E) produces a C major chord when strummed open, with an enormous bass depth from the low C string (two whole steps below standard E). The tuning spans a vast tonal range that gives compositions an almost orchestral scope, making it a favorite for both delicate fingerstyle and crushing heavy music.
John Butler's 'Ocean' — one of the most famous modern fingerstyle compositions — is performed in Open C, showcasing the tuning's incredible dynamic range from thundering bass to shimmering harmonics. Devin Townsend uses Open C extensively across his catalog for its massive, wall-of-sound potential. Jimmy Page used it on Led Zeppelin's 'Friends' from Led Zeppelin III. Soundgarden also explored Open C. The three C strings and two G strings create powerful octave resonances that make even simple chord shapes sound huge.
Notable artists: John Butler, Devin Townsend, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Soundgarden, William Ackerman
Best for: Cinematic fingerstyle compositions, progressive metal walls of sound, post-rock textures, and any music that needs enormous tonal range from deep bass to bright treble
Musical Character
Creates what Messiaen called 'the charm of impossibilities' — the listener loses their sense of tonal direction, creating a spiritual disorientation that evokes wonder.
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- G# Messiaen's Mode #4 in Standard Tuning
- G# Messiaen's Mode #4 in Drop D
- G# Messiaen's Mode #4 in DADGAD
- G# Messiaen's Mode #4 in Open G
- G# Messiaen's Mode #4 in Baritone (B Standard)
- G# Messiaen's Mode #4 in 7-string
- G# Messiaen's Mode #4 in 8-string
- G# Messiaen's Mode #4 in Drop C
- G# Messiaen's Mode #4 in Drop B
- G# Messiaen's Mode #4 in Open D
- G# Messiaen's Mode #4 in Half Step Down
- G# Messiaen's Mode #4 in Open E
- G# Messiaen's Mode #4 in Open A
- G# Messiaen's Mode #4 in Double Drop D