C Messiaen mode 6 Scale on the Piano - How to play, How to improvise, How to compose music with this scale

Notes: C, D, E, F, F#, G#, A#, and B - Key: C - Category: Nonatonic or Ennatonic Scales

The C Messiaen mode 6 uses nine notes per octave. Because of this same reason it is a member of the so called Nonatonic or Ennatonic -scales that have Nine-note (or Nine-tone). On the piano keyboard, it is made up of three black keys: F#, G#, and A# and five white keys: C, D, E, F, and B. This combination makes this scale - as well as the C Prometheus, C Prometheus Liszt, and C Prometheus Neapolitan - as great choices for composing or improvising music.

If we take a look a the key signature of the C Messiaen mode 6 Scale we can find it has no flats and three sharps. Therefore, on sheet music you will find three accidentals on the score. The notes of this scale are: C, D, E, F, F#, G#, A#, and B.

How to play the C Messiaen mode 6 scale?

  1. 1
    To play the C Messiaen mode 6 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 D, E, F, F#, G#, A#, and B.
  3. 3
    Return to the home of the C Messiaen mode 6 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#, F, E, and D.
  3. 3
    Reach the home again. Establish tonality by playing the tonic of the C Messiaen mode 6 scale: C.
  4. 4
    Tip. If you want to learn how to improvise or compose your own music using the C Messiaen mode 6 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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