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 | F♯G♯°A♯°BmC♯mD+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 four black keys (F♯, G♯, A♯ and C♯) and three white.
F♯ · G♯ · A♯ · B · C♯ · D · E
Play F♯ Hindu on the online 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 = Bm, v = C♯m, 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♯°, Bm, C♯m, 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 four black keys (F♯, G♯, A♯ and C♯) and three 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.