E Enigmatic Scale
Notes in the E Enigmatic Scale
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | E | 329.628 Hz |
| ♭2 | Lowered 2nd | F | 349.228 Hz |
| 3 | Major Mediant | G♯ | 415.305 Hz |
| ♯4 | Augmented 4th | A♯ | 466.164 Hz |
| ♯5 | Augmented 5th | C | 261.626 Hz |
| ♯6 | Augmented 6th | D | 293.665 Hz |
| 7 | Leading Tone | D♯ | 311.127 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Half Step (H) | 1 | E | F |
| 2 | Aug 2nd (WH) | 3 | F | G♯ |
| 3 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | G♯ | A♯ |
| 4 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | A♯ | C |
| 5 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | C | D |
| 6 | Half Step (H) | 1 | D | D♯ |
| 7 | Half Step (H) | 1 | D♯ | E |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | E augmented | augmented |
| ♭2 | F | F (complex) | other |
| 3 | G♯ | G♯ | major |
| ♯4 | A♯ | A♯ (complex) | other |
| ♯5 | C | C (complex) | other |
| ♯6 | D | D (complex) | other |
| 7 | D♯ | D♯ (complex) | other |
Key Signature
4 ♯ — The E key signature uses F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯.
E Enigmatic Scale in Practice
The E Enigmatic Scale uses the key signature of 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯). E major has four sharps and a powerful, resonant sound particularly suited to guitar. It is one of the most common keys in rock and blues music. On guitar, E positions offer open-string resonance for fingering positions for this scale.
The enigmatic scale was composed by Giuseppe Verdi in 1889. It has a mysterious, chromatic character with no standard harmonic usage, prized for its unique tonal ambiguity. When played starting on E, the 7 notes are E, F, G♯, A♯, C, D, D♯. In this key the signature has 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯). E is the lowest open string on standard-tuned guitar and bass, making it the most resonant key for rock and metal power chord riffs. Jazz guitarists use E for bossa nova and smooth jazz because the open low E provides a warm bass foundation beneath complex chord voicings.
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | 329.628 Hz | 330.001 Hz | 327.032 Hz |
| F | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
| G♯ | 415.305 Hz | 417.657 Hz | 418.601 Hz |
| A♯ | 466.164 Hz | 463.538 Hz | 470.926 Hz |
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| D | 293.665 Hz | 293.332 Hz | 294.329 Hz |
| D♯ | 311.127 Hz | 309.026 Hz | 313.951 Hz |
Related Scales
Guitar: E Enigmatic Scale Positions
The E key offers 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like E are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.