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