STRINGSCALES

E♭ pelog Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: Fb, Gb, Bb, Cb, Eb, Fb at frets 0, 2, 6, 7, 11, 12

A string: Bb, Cb, Eb, Fb, Gb at frets 1, 2, 6, 7, 9

D string: Eb, Fb, Gb, Bb, Cb at frets 1, 2, 4, 8, 9

G string: Bb, Cb, Eb, Fb, Gb at frets 3, 4, 8, 9, 11

B string: Cb, Eb, Fb, Gb, Bb, Cb at frets 0, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12

High E string: Fb, Gb, Bb, Cb, Eb, Fb at frets 0, 2, 6, 7, 11, 12

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Eb 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:

E♭

I

F♭

bII

G♭

bIII

B♭

V

C♭

bVI

Same notes, different mode

Eb 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.

Cb ionian pentatonic

pelog in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

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

How to play E♭ pelog on guitar

Three open strings land in this key, both E strings and the B, but they come in a minor second and a minor sixth above the tonic, so they rub instead of pedal. Lowest-numbered root is fret 1 on the D string, which lets you launch a run without leaving first position. Lowest root is fret 11 on the low E. At fret 15 the next box takes over, and a capo at the 1st fret recasts the grip as D pelog.

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