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