G# 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
G# 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

1G#root
b2Aminor 2nd
3B#major 3rd
#4Daug 4th
#5Eaug 5th
b7F#minor 7th
7Gmajor 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
G#
H
A
WH
B#
W
D
W
E
W
F#
H
G

Chords by degree

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IG#nominal centretonic
IIIB#defines modal qualitythird

Typical resolutions & tensions

VIIGG
IG#G#
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IG#G#
IIAA
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how G# 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#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmAbmajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
4 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

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

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Frequently Asked Questions