How to Play the Raga Devaranji Scale on the Guitar

The Raga Devaranji scale comes from Indian classical music. Ragas are musical strings of notes played at certain times of the day. This raga is a pentatonic scale, consisting of only five notes. It has a step pattern of a perfect fourth, whole step, half step, minor third, and a final half step.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Place your ring finger on the third fret of the sixth string (low E string.) This is the root note of this scale.

2. Place your forefinger on the third fret of the fifth string (A string.) This is the note C, the second degree of the Raga Devaranji scale.

3. Play the fifth fret of the fifth string with your ring finger. This is the note D, the third degree of the Raga Devaranji scale.

4. With your pinky, play the sixth fret of the fifth string. This is the note E flat, the fourth degree of the Raga Devaranji scale.

5. Play the fourth fret of the fourth string (D string) with your middle finger. This is the note F sharp, the fifth degree of the Raga Devaranji scale.

6. Place your ring finger on the fifth fret of the fourth string. This is the final note of the scale.

7. Play steps six through one in reverse order to complete the scale. You now know how to play the Raga Devaranji scale on the guitar.

Tips & Warnings

• Playing the scale in different positions up the neck of the guitar will give you a greater command of the fretboard.