A Hindu at a glance
Hindu scale (Mixolydian ♭6) appears in Indian classical music and Western rock/metal looking for an exotic dominant sound. Joe Satriani uses it constantly. Built on the root A, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where A is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | A B C♯ D E F G |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7m |
| Step pattern | W W H W H W W |
| Chords in the key | AB°C♯°DmEmF+G |
Chords in the A Hindu scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
A Hindu on the piano
Improvisation drone · A
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano A Hindu uses one black key (C♯) and six white.
A · B · C♯ · D · E · F · G
Play A Hindu on the online piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
A Hindu on the guitar
A Hindu - fr 0–12
A Hindu on the staff
Notes of the A Hindu scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | B | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | C♯ | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | D | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | E | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | F | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | G | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes A Hindu different
The Hindu scale, also called Mixolydian ♭6 or Aeolian dominant, is Mixolydian with a lowered sixth, the one note separating the two. Its lower half (1, 2, 3, 4) is major and its upper half (5, ♭6, ♭7, 8) is natural minor, so it starts bright and ends dark. It's the fifth mode of melodic minor and shares its notes with the melodic minor scale a perfect fourth above its root. The tonic is major while both the iv and v chords are minor. On A, A Hindu has F where A Mixolydian has F♯; every other note is shared with A Mixolydian (A B C♯ D E F♯ G).
How to use the A Hindu scale
The diatonic chords of A Hindu are: I = A, ii° = B°, iii° = C♯°, iv = Dm, v = Em, VI+ = F+, VII = G. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in A Hindu. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own diagram and progressions.
Hindu scale (Mixolydian ♭6) appears in Indian classical music and Western rock/metal looking for an exotic dominant sound. Joe Satriani uses it constantly.
Practice tips
Compare hindu against parallel Mixolydian to feel what the flat sixth adds. Improvise over a 7sus4 chord using only Hindu notes for an instant exotic-rock vibe.
Formula & step pattern
The A Hindu scale follows Mixolydian with a flat sixth (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7) — also the fifth mode of melodic minor. Step pattern: W - W - H - W - H - W - W. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7m. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Where you will hear A Hindu
Start with the music described above: listen for A Hindu in it and transcribe a few short phrases by ear. It's the quickest way to learn how the scale sounds.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the A Hindu scale?
The A Hindu scale contains A, B, C♯, D, E, F and G.
What is the formula for the A Hindu scale?
A Hindu follows Mixolydian with a flat sixth (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7) — also the fifth mode of melodic minor.
Is A Hindu a major or minor scale?
A Hindu is a hindu scale. Mixolydian with a flat sixth — major brightness with a darker upper tetrachord, common in Indian-flavoured rock and metal.
What chords belong to the A Hindu scale?
The diatonic chords of A Hindu are A, B°, C♯°, Dm, Em, F+, G.
Which genres use A Hindu?
Hindu scale (Mixolydian ♭6) appears in Indian classical music and Western rock/metal looking for an exotic dominant sound. Joe Satriani uses it constantly.
How do you play the A Hindu scale on the piano?
On the piano A Hindu uses one black key (C♯) and six white.
What is the difference between A Hindu and A Mixolydian?
On A, A Hindu has F where A Mixolydian has F♯; every other note is shared with A Mixolydian (A B C♯ D E F♯ G).
How do I practise the A Hindu scale?
Compare hindu against parallel Mixolydian to feel what the flat sixth adds. Improvise over a 7sus4 chord using only Hindu notes for an instant exotic-rock vibe.