How to Play the Raga Navamanohari Scale on the Guitar

The Raga Navamanohari scale is based on Indian classical music. The Raga Navamanohari closely resembles the natural minor scale of Western music. This makes the Raga Navamanohari much less atonal than other ragas. Therefore, this scale is a great introduction to the darker melodic ragas. The Raga Navamanohari is of moderate difficulty, but is appropriate for guitarists of all skill levels.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Guitar

1. Begin the Raga Navamanohari scale by placing your first finger on the seventh fret of the A string. This is the root note.

2. Continue on the A string by placing your third finger on the ninth fret. This is F sharp, the second degree of the Raga Navamanohari scale.

3. Shift to the D string and place your first finger on the seventh fret of your guitar. This is A, the third degree of the Raga Navamanohari scale.

4. Stay on the D string and play the ninth fret with your third finger. This is B, the fourth degree of the Raga Navamanohari scale.

5. While still on the D string, play the tenth fret with your fourth finger. This is C, the fifth degree of the Raga Navamanohari scale.

6. Shift to the G string and play the seventh fret with your first finger. This is D, the sixth degree of the Raga Navamanohari scale.

7. Stay on the G string and play the ninth fret with your third finger. This is a C, the seventh degree of the Raga Navamanohari scale.

8. To complete the Raga Navamanohari scale, play Steps 7 through 1 in reverse order until you again reach the root note.

Tips & Warnings

• When playing the Raga Navamanohari scale, try to "visualize" the notes on the fretboard before you play them. Visualizing is a practice technique that will lead to fewer mistakes over time.