Gb Enigmatic scale

Verdi's scale with lowered 2nd and 7th and raised 4th and 5th; the opening 1–b2 semitone and closing b7–7–1 frame wider intervals.

Octaves

Musical context

How the scale relates to the chord, mode, key and progression.

Theory

General info

Name
Gb Enigmatic scale
Family
Exotic scales
Note count
7
Step formula
H – W+H – W – W – W – H – H
Numeric formula
0-1-3-2-2-2-1-1

Notes & degrees

1Gbroot
b2Gminor 2nd
3Bbmajor 3rd
#4Caug 4th
#5Daug 5th
b7Fbminor 7th
7Fmajor 7th

Construction

Overview
Verdi's scale with lowered 2nd and 7th and raised 4th and 5th; the opening 1–b2 semitone and closing b7–7–1 frame wider intervals.
Application in music
It does not form a standard set of diatonic functions and is used as colour outside conventional major–minor harmony.
Interval formula
Gb
H
G
WH
Bb
W
C
W
D
W
Fb
H
F

Chords by degree

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IGbnominal centretonic
IIIBbdefines modal qualitythird

Typical resolutions & tensions

VIIFF
IGbGb
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IGbGb
IIGG
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how Gb Enigmatic scale looks on guitar.

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Circle of fifths

The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.

CAmGEmDBmAF#mEC#mBG#mF#D#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmF#major
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
6 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.

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Frequently Asked Questions