C Enigmatic Scale on the Piano - How to play, How to improvise, How to compose music with this scale

Notes: C, Db, E, F#, G#, A#, and B - Key: C - Origin: Italian - Category: Octatonic Scales

The C Enigmatic uses eight notes per octave. Because of this same reason it is a member of the so called Octatonic -scales that have Eight-note (or Eight-tone). On the piano keyboard, it is made up of four black keys: Db, F#, G#, and A# and three white keys: C, E, and B. This combination makes this scale - as well as the C Arezzo Major Diatonic Hexachord, C Neapolitan Major, and C Neapolitan Minor - as great choices for composing or improvising Italian music.

If we take a look a the key signature of the C Enigmatic Scale we can find it has one flats and three sharps. Therefore, on sheet music you will find four accidentals on the score. The notes of this scale are: C, Db, E, F#, G#, A#, and B.

How to play the C Enigmatic scale?

  1. 1
    To play the C Enigmatic on your piano, start on the Root note. Play C, the first note of the scale.
  2. 2
    Continue with rest of the notes that shape the scale, play Db, E, F#, G#, A#, and B.
  3. 3
    Return to the home of the C Enigmatic scale. Play again C -the tonic of the scale- to mark its ending.

How to play the scale in descending fashion?

  1. 1
    Begin on the last note. Play the C, the last (and first) note of the scale.
  2. 2
    Go down. Play B, A#, G#, F#, E, and Db.
  3. 3
    Reach the home again. Establish tonality by playing the tonic of the C Enigmatic scale: C.
  4. 4
    Tip. If you want to learn how to improvise or compose your own music using the C Enigmatic scale or any other scale, check out our step-by-step online piano lessons, piano courses, and interactive piano apps and enjoy thousands of interactive multimedia piano animations. Discover 'Logic Behind Music' and learn how to play your favorite songs, play by ear, improvise, and even create your own music!
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