C Verdi's Scala Enigmatica Scale on the Piano - How to play, How to improvise, How to compose music with this scale

Notes: C, Db, E, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, and B - Key: C - Origin: Italian - Category: Nonatonic or Ennatonic Scales

The C Verdi's Scala Enigmatica 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 four black keys: Db, Gb, Ab, and Bb and four white keys: C, E, F, and B. This combination makes this scale - as well as the C Arezzo Major Diatonic Hexachord, C Enigmatic, and C Neapolitan Major - as great choices for composing or improvising Italian music.

If we take a look a the key signature of the C Verdi's Scala Enigmatica Scale we can find it has four flats and no sharps. Therefore, on sheet music you will find four accidentals on the score. The notes of this scale are: C, Db, E, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, and B.

How to play the C Verdi's Scala Enigmatica scale?

  1. 1
    To play the C Verdi's Scala Enigmatica 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, Gb, Ab, Bb, and B.
  3. 3
    Return to the home of the C Verdi's Scala Enigmatica 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, Bb, Ab, Gb, F, E, and Db.
  3. 3
    Reach the home again. Establish tonality by playing the tonic of the C Verdi's Scala Enigmatica scale: C.
  4. 4
    Tip. If you want to learn how to improvise or compose your own music using the C Verdi's Scala Enigmatica 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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