Messiaen Around with Mode 3 (Super Augmented)
If the number of online videos and articles on the subject is any indication, Mode 3 of celebrated French composer Olivier Messiaen's series of "Modes of Limited Transposition" seems to have seen a recent surge in popularity among improvisers.
A while back, I posted an article detailing my personal discovery of this nine-tone scale by stringing together a trio of 013 trichords, a Major 3rd apart. I had no idea what it was called - nor of Messiaen's modes, for that matter.
Since it was also apparent that it consisted of a pair of overlapping Augmented scales - glued together by a common Augmented triad - I wound up calling it "Super Augmented".
A while back, I posted an article detailing my personal discovery of this nine-tone scale by stringing together a trio of 013 trichords, a Major 3rd apart. I had no idea what it was called - nor of Messiaen's modes, for that matter.
Since it was also apparent that it consisted of a pair of overlapping Augmented scales - glued together by a common Augmented triad - I wound up calling it "Super Augmented".
Ex. #1 shows Messiaen Mode 3 / Super Augmented starting on Eb, in its 2nd rotation (inversion). As previously mentioned, this allows for a trio of distinct 013 trichords, a Maj 3rd apart (Eb-E-F#, G-Ab-Bb & B-C-D).
Ex. 1
Ex. 1
The interval sequence of the Augmented Scale in Ex. 2 is minor 3rd - semitone - minor 3rd -semitone - minor 3rd - semitone (to the octave).
Ex. 2
Ex. 2
The Inverted Augmented Scale, built from Eb in Ex. 3 has the reverse interval sequence; semitone - minor 3rd -semitone - minor 3rd - semitone - minor 3rd (to the octave), but shares a common Eb augmented triad. Combining examples #2 and 3 results in Ex. #1, which is how I first came across what I termed "Super Augmented" (makes sense, no?). It was only later that I discovered that it was commonly known as "Messiaen Mode 3, 2nd rotation".
Ex. 3
Ex. 3
Below (Ex. 4a) is a sequence I stumbled upon while doing my practice due diligence. It can be seen as a b3-5-2-1 pattern descending in Major 3rds for the first 2 bars, then an ascending inverted Augmented Scale for the final 2 measures. It was only a while later that I realized that the first 2 bars contained a complete Messiaen Mode 3 / Super Augmented.
Ex. 4a
Ex. 4a
A slight rhythmic tweak in the first and second bars of Ex. 4b (by replacing eighth-notes with rests) gives the line in the audio example a bit more of a musical balance. The roots in the harmonies follow the Major 3rds Cycle, as does Mode 3 itself.
Listen
Since Messiaen's Mode 3 divides the octave into 3 equal parts (Major 3rds Cycle), there are actually only 4 transpositions. However, as I maintain that the ability to start any scale, phrase, etc. from any point on your instrument to be vital - the free, downloadable pdf has it transposed to all 12 "keys". Enjoy!
B. Stern
B. Stern
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