Exploring the F Indian Scale
F, Gb, Bb, C and Db form the F Indian scale, and the first pattern starts on the 1st fret of the low E string, as low as it goes.
Another root sits on the 8th fret of the A string. Gb is only one fret above F, a close step that gives the scale its tension. Every note lies within Db major, so it is easy to check against a familiar key.
Play the F indian scale
Use the step menu in the player to switch between the single-string run and the box shapes.
Notes of the F indian scale
| Note | Degree | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | 1 | Root | 0 |
| Gb | b2 | Minor 2nd | 1 |
| Bb | 4 | Perfect 4th | 5 |
| C | 5 | Perfect 5th | 7 |
| Db | b6 | Minor 6th | 8 |
Structure
F 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.
F Indian Scale Guitar Patterns
Static diagrams of every position shown in the player above.
On one string (low E)
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 F
Same root, different notes. Play them back to back to hear what changes.
- F Japanese: 2 instead of b2
- F Phrygian: adds the b3 and b7
- F Bizantine: adds the 3 and 7
- F Phrygian Dominant: adds the 3 and b7
The indian scale in other keys
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Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
