G Indian Scale, Step by Step
The open G string is the root of the G Indian scale, followed by Ab, C, D and Eb. The Ab sits right above G, which is where the dark colour begins.
On the low E string the root is at the 3rd fret. Because the scale has no third, it neither sounds major nor minor, which makes a drone on G a good backdrop. All five notes belong to Eb major, so you can check your fingering against a scale you already know.
Play the G indian scale
Use the step menu in the player to switch between the single-string run and the box shapes.
Notes of the G indian scale
| Note | Degree | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Root | 0 |
| Ab | b2 | Minor 2nd | 1 |
| C | 4 | Perfect 4th | 5 |
| D | 5 | Perfect 5th | 7 |
| Eb | b6 | Minor 6th | 8 |
Structure
G 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.
G Indian Scale Guitar Patterns
Static diagrams of every position shown in the player above.
On one string (G)
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 G
Same root, different notes. Play them back to back to hear what changes.
- G Japanese: 2 instead of b2
- G Phrygian: adds the b3 and b7
- G Bizantine: adds the 3 and 7
- G 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
