B 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 B, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where B is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G A |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7m |
| Step pattern | W W H W H W W |
| Chords in the key | BC♯°D♯°EmF♯mG+A |
Chords in the B Hindu scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
B Hindu on the piano
Improvisation drone · B
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano B Hindu uses three black keys (C♯, D♯ and F♯) and four white.
B · C♯ · D♯ · E · F♯ · G · A
Try B Hindu on the virtual piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
B Hindu on the guitar
B Hindu - fr 0–12
B Hindu on the staff
Notes of the B Hindu scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | C♯ | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | D♯ | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | E | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | F♯ | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | G | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | A | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes B 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 B, B Hindu has G where B Mixolydian has G♯; every other note is shared with B Mixolydian (B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A).
How to use the B Hindu scale
The diatonic chords of B Hindu are: I = B, ii° = C♯°, iii° = D♯°, iv = Em, v = F♯m, VI+ = G+, VII = A. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in B 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 B 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 B Hindu
Start with the music described above: listen for B 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 B Hindu scale?
The B Hindu scale contains B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G and A.
What is the formula for the B Hindu scale?
B Hindu follows Mixolydian with a flat sixth (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7) — also the fifth mode of melodic minor.
Is B Hindu a major or minor scale?
B 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 B Hindu scale?
The diatonic chords of B Hindu are B, C♯°, D♯°, Em, F♯m, G+, A.
Which genres use B 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 B Hindu scale on the piano?
On the piano B Hindu uses three black keys (C♯, D♯ and F♯) and four white.
What is the difference between B Hindu and B Mixolydian?
On B, B Hindu has G where B Mixolydian has G♯; every other note is shared with B Mixolydian (B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A).
How do I practise the B 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.