How to Play the Raga Bhinna Pancama Scale on the Guitar

The Raga Bhinna Pancama scale is based on classical Indian music. It closely resembles the harmonic minor scale of western music. The major difference being the Raga Bhinna Pancama's lack of the third degree from the harmonic minor. Therefore, the Raga Bhinna Pancama has only six notes, while the harmonic minor has seven. This scale is great for improvising.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• guitar

1. Place your first finger, forefinger, on the seventh fret of the sixth string. This is the root of the scale.

2. Use your third finger, ring finger, to play the ninth fret of the sixth string. This is C sharp. C sharp is the second degree of the Raga Bhinna Pancama scale.

3. Use your first finger to play the seventh fret of the fifth string. This is E. E is the third degree of the Raga Bhinna Pancama scale.

4. Play the ninth fret of the fifth string, with your third finger to . This note is F sharp, the fourth degree of the Raga Bhinna Pancama scale.

5. Play the tenth fret of the fifth string, with your fourth, pinky, finger. This is G. G is the fifth degree of the Raga Bhinna Pancama scale.

6. Hold down the eighth fret of the fourth string, with your middle finger. This note is A sharp. It is the sixth degree of the Raga Bhinna Pancama scale.

7. Play the ninth fret of the fourth string with your ring finger. This is the root note of the scale played one octave higher.

8. Complete the scale by playing steps seven through one in reverse order.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use a metronome when practicing your scales. Begin slowly and gradually increase the tempo as your skill level improves.