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