Enigmatic

The Enigmatic Scale can be described as half diminished. It differs from the major in that is has a flattened second, sharpened fourth, fifth and sixth notes.

Like the Whole Tone and Diminished, the Enigmatic is another scale which is tonally ambiguous and has a disorienting effect on the listener.

The word enigmatic literally means of or resembling a puzzle.

This scale was used in Verdi’s famous Ave Maria composed in 1847. Some credit Verdi with the invention of the scale.

Verdi was a great master of the Italian tradition and one of the greatest theatre music composers of all time.

Ironically, Verdi started his illustrious career by failing the entrance exam to the Milan Conservatory of Music.

If at first you don’t succeed…