Learning the C Indian Scale
With the formula 1, b2, 4, 5, b6, the C Indian scale gives C, Db, F, G and Ab. It lacks a third and a seventh, so it floats between major and minor.
Look for the root on the 8th fret of the low E string or the 3rd fret of the A string. For other scales with this eastern colour, browse more exotic guitar scales.
Play the C indian scale
Use the step menu in the player to switch between the single-string run and the box shapes.
Notes of the C indian scale
| Note | Degree | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 1 | Root | 0 |
| Db | b2 | Minor 2nd | 1 |
| F | 4 | Perfect 4th | 5 |
| G | 5 | Perfect 5th | 7 |
| Ab | b6 | Minor 6th | 8 |
Structure
C indian scale notes:
How the indian scale is built:
The indian scale is built from the degrees 1 b2 4 5 b6, which gives the step pattern H-WW-W-H-WW (W = whole step, H = half step).
Counting in semitones from the root: 0, 1, 5, 7, 8. That makes it a 5-note scale.
C Indian Scale Guitar Patterns
Static diagrams of every position shown in the player above.
On one string (B)
Box pattern — position 1
Box pattern — position 2
Box pattern — position 3
Box pattern — position 4
Box pattern — position 5
3 notes per string — position 1
Other scales on C
Same root, different notes. Play them back to back to hear what changes.
- C Japanese: 2 instead of b2
- C Phrygian: adds the b3 and b7
- C Bizantine: adds the 3 and 7
- C Phrygian Dominant: adds the 3 and b7
The indian scale in other keys
Keep learning
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
