STRINGSCALES

D pelog Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: F, A, Bb, D, Eb at frets 1, 5, 6, 10, 11

A string: A, Bb, D, Eb, F, A at frets 0, 1, 5, 6, 8, 12

D string: D, Eb, F, A, Bb, D at frets 0, 1, 3, 7, 8, 12

G string: A, Bb, D, Eb, F at frets 2, 3, 7, 8, 10

B string: D, Eb, F, A, Bb at frets 3, 4, 6, 10, 11

High E string: F, A, Bb, D, Eb at frets 1, 5, 6, 10, 11

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D 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:

D

I

E♭

bII

F

bIII

A

V

B♭

bVI

Same notes, different mode

D 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.

Bb ionian pentatonic

pelog in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Five notes approximating gamelan pelog in Western frets: root, b2 (Eb), b3 (F), V, b6 (Bb); 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 (Eb) to root, b6 (Bb) to V) resolve downward; ending on D or the 5th always sounds right.
  • Real pelog tuning is not equal-tempered: bend b2 (Eb) and b6 (Bb) slightly to taste and the flavor gets closer.

How to play D pelog on guitar

Open D is a root and open A is the fifth, so a two-string drone sits under the key with no fretting hand at all. Fret 0 on the D string counts as a root, which means first position is playable without a barre. Lowest root is fret 10 on the low E. Handover comes at fret 14, and an A-shape barre fits at fret 5.

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