Messiaen’s 6th mode of limited transposition as used for the presentation in this webpage.
Messiaen mode 6 is brilliant for exploiting “Diminished” and “Augmented” intervals and renewing tired diatonic cliches.
Messiaen’s 6th mode allows for the above idea to be sequenced easily
Below we have a descending Augmented sequence
A useful point to remember: The Augmented sequences move in tones whilst the Diminished sequences move in minor 3rds.
Although, Diminished intervals can move in semitones and tones. For Example:
Getting back to our common sequences we can see below the brilliance of diminished intervals moving in minor 3rds with the employment of the simple triplet figure. Robert Fripp cross cicking guitar patterns occur: [For more on Fripp Messiaen 6th Mode CLICK HERE
More examples of mixing up the Augmented and Diminished ideas to avoid the cliches and develop something fresh sounding
We can also make interesting intervallic motifs from the notes of the Messiaen mode 6
Finally, we can employ a contrapuntal counterpoint “Mirror” compositional device to really manipulate this brilliant 6th mode of Messiaen.
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