Olivier Messiaen
Olivier Messiaen

Here are new exercises for advanced clarinetists : the modes of limited tranposition, compiled by french composer Olivier Messiaen. For further information about these modes, please visit Wikipedia.

Practicing these modes on the clarinet is very useful:

  • when playing Messiaen’s music, you will be already familiar with his way of composing,
  • other composers, like Debussy, Stravinsky or Takemitsu, used some of the modes of limited transposition in their works,
  • technically, and purely technically, they are interesting because less usual than classical major and minor keys.

I wrote these scales using simple non-retrogradable rhythms. Of course, you can practice with your own rhythms and articulations once you are comfortable with the notes.

Modes of limited transposition for clarinet (169.9 KiB, 3356 downloads)




If you find those exercises useful, your support will be much appreciated. Thank you !




Commentez !