STRINGSCALES

A balinese Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F, G#, A, Bb, C, D, E at frets 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12

A string: A, Bb, C, D, E, F, G#, A at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12

D string: D, E, F, G#, A, Bb, C, D at frets 0, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12

G string: G#, A, Bb, C, D, E, F at frets 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10

B string: C, D, E, F, G#, A, Bb at frets 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11

High E string: E, F, G#, A, Bb, C, D, E at frets 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12

Pick a root note

Pick a scale

A balinese

The balinese scale as catalogued here is a seven note set identical to the neapolitan minor scale: root, flat 2nd, flat 3rd, 4th, 5th, flat 6th, major 7th. The name nods to the pelog-flavored half steps around the root and 5th rather than to an actual gamelan tuning, which does not fit Western frets. Expect a dark minor sound with an unexpectedly bright leading tone.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

A

i

Am
B♭

bII

B♭maj
C

bIII+

Caug
D

iv

Dm
E

V

Emaj♭5
F

bVI

Fmaj
G♯

VII

B♭7no5/G#

Same notes, different mode

A balinese uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

A neapolitan minorBb lydian #6C mixolydian augmentedD romani minorE locrian dominantF ionian major #2G# ultralocrian

balinese in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • The set is identical to neapolitan minor: phrygian darkness below (Bb), a leading tone (G#) above; resolve into A from both half steps.
  • For the gamelan flavor the name promises, emphasize the pelog-like subset root, b2 (Bb), b3 (C), V, b6 (F) in ostinato patterns.
  • Alternate two interlocking one-octave patterns, one low, one high, imitating gamelan kotekan on guitar.
  • Let the major 7th (G#) appear only as the final note before the root; rationing it keeps the exotic frame intact.

How to play A balinese on guitar

Open A is the root, with both E strings a perfect fifth away and the open D a perfect fourth, so four strings can ring without leaving the key. Lowest root sits at 5 on the low E, the same fret as the E-shape anchor, which means the barre position doubles as the box. Another root sits at 2 on the G string. C mixolydian augmented is the same shape, three semitones higher.

homeall scalesaboutfaqpricingmicrotonalterms & conditionsprivacy policycookie policy© 2026 StringScales. All rights reserved.