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