STRINGSCALES

C pelog Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: G, Ab, C, Db, Eb at frets 3, 4, 8, 9, 11

A string: C, Db, Eb, G, Ab at frets 3, 4, 6, 10, 11

D string: Eb, G, Ab, C, Db at frets 1, 5, 6, 10, 11

G string: G, Ab, C, Db, Eb, G at frets 0, 1, 5, 6, 8, 12

B string: C, Db, Eb, G, Ab at frets 1, 2, 4, 8, 9

High E string: G, Ab, C, Db, Eb at frets 3, 4, 8, 9, 11

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C pelog

The pelog scale is a five note approximation, in Western tuning, of the Indonesian pelog tuning system used in gamelan music: root, flat 2nd, flat 3rd, 5th, flat 6th. Real pelog is a seven tone tuning that does not map onto equal temperament, so treat this as a color palette rather than a transcription. Its stacked half steps around the root and 5th produce the shimmering, gong-like character.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

C

I

D♭

bII

E♭

bIII

G

V

A♭

bVI

Same notes, different mode

C pelog 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.

Ab ionian pentatonic

pelog in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Five notes approximating gamelan pelog in Western frets: root, b2 (Db), b3 (Eb), V, b6 (Ab); keep an ostinato, not a solo, mindset.
  • Interlock two patterns an octave apart, one busy, one sparse, imitating kotekan; the scale rewards texture over melody.
  • Both half steps (b2 (Db) to root, b6 (Ab) to V) resolve downward; ending on C or the 5th always sounds right.
  • Real pelog tuning is not equal-tempered: bend b2 (Db) and b6 (Ab) slightly to taste and the flavor gets closer.

How to play C pelog on guitar

Open G belongs to this key, a perfect fifth above the tonic, so you can let it ring under the whole of box one. Roots sit at fret 1 on the B string and fret 3 on the A, giving you two anchors within reach of the nut. Lowest root is fret 8 on the low E. Box one from there ends at fret 12, and the same fingering spells Ab ionian pentatonic 8 semitones up.

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