STRINGSCALES

E balinese Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

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

G string: G, A, B, C, D#, E, F, G at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12

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

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

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E 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:

E

i

Em
F

bII

Fmaj
G

bIII+

Gaug
A

iv

Am
B

V

Bmaj♭5
C

bVI

Cmaj
D♯

VII

F7no5/D♯

Same notes, different mode

E 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.

E neapolitan minorF lydian #6G mixolydian augmentedA romani minorB locrian dominantC ionian major #2D# ultralocrian

balinese in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

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

How to play E balinese on guitar

Five of the six open strings belong to this key, including both E strings as roots, so open-position work needs almost no left hand. Low E at fret 0 is the deepest root available. First box closes at 4, which means the A string root at 7 already asks for a shift. Em and Am both sit inside the chord set.

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