F Desh is a world scale from the bright, consonant major family. Hindustani raga — Mixolydian with major characteristics. The Desh scale contains 7 notes: F, G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb. With a formula of 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - b7, it uses all seven notes of the diatonic system. This scale is suitable for intermediate players looking to expand their vocabulary.
The F Desh scale is constructed using the interval formula 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - b7, which means it contains the intervals Root (1), Major Second (2), Major Third (3), Perfect Fourth (4), Perfect Fifth (5), Major Sixth (6), Minor Seventh (b7) above the root F. The notes are F, G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb. Starting from the F major scale (F, Gb, G, Ab, A, Bb, B, C, Db, D, Eb, E), the Desh scale takes the natural major degrees. Key characteristics: b7 adds longing. Monsoon season.
F Desh sounds bright, uplifting, and consonant. The major third (A) gives it its characteristic happy quality, while the perfect fifth (C) provides harmonic stability. The natural half-step intervals create gentle forward motion. The emotional feeling is one of brightness, resolution, and optimism. This scale is the foundation of Western music and appears in virtually every genre from classical to pop.
F Desh works best in World, Indian, Hindustani music. Use it over major chord progressions to create bright, consonant melodies. It works beautifully as a starting point for improvisation over I-IV-V and I-V-vi-IV progressions.
Compatible chords and progressions:
1. I - bVII - IV
Related scales:
- Mixolydian
- Yaman
- Indian Bhairav
Practice Routine for F Desh:
5 minutes: Play each note of the F Desh scale slowly, one at a time. Listen carefully to the character of each interval. Ascending and descending through the scale. Focus on clean, even tone on each note.
10 minutes: Practice the scale with a metronome at 60 BPM. Play one note per beat ascending, then descending. Gradually increase to two notes per beat (eighth notes) and four notes per beat (sixteenth notes). Focus on timing precision.
20 minutes: Apply the scale over a backing track in F major. Improvise melodies using only the Desh scale notes. Experiment with different rhythmic patterns, slides, bends, and vibrato. Focus on musical phrasing.
30 minutes: Learn the scale in multiple positions across the fretboard. Connect different positions with smooth transitions. Practice playing the scale over a chord progression (I - bVII - IV). Record yourself and analyze your phrasing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Playing too fast before understanding the scale's sound character
- Not listening to the intervals individually
- Ignoring the scale's unique character (each scale has a distinctive mood)
- Skipping the descending practice — descending is equally important
Intermediate Tips: Learn the scale in at least 3 positions across the fretboard. Practice connecting positions. Try improvising with only 3-4 notes at a time to develop melodic ideas.
pages.scaleDetail.frequentlyAskedQuestions
What is the F Desh scale?
F Desh is a world scale consisting of 7 notes: F, G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb. The formula is 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - b7. Hindustani raga — Mixolydian with major characteristics.
What notes are in the F Desh scale?
The F Desh scale contains the notes F, G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb. These correspond to the formula 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - b7, which represents the intervals Root (1), Major Second (2), Major Third (3), Perfect Fourth (4), Perfect Fifth (5), Major Sixth (6), Minor Seventh (b7) above the root F.
What is the formula for the F Desh scale?
The formula for the F Desh scale is 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - b7. This means it uses the Root (1), Major Second (2), Major Third (3), Perfect Fourth (4), Perfect Fifth (5), Major Sixth (6), Minor Seventh (b7) intervals from the root note F.
How do you play the F Desh scale on guitar?
To play the F Desh scale on guitar, start at the root note F and follow the fretboard pattern. Each note corresponds to a specific fret on the guitar. Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to see all positions and fingerings.
What is the F Desh scale used for?
F Desh is commonly used in World, Indian, Hindustani music. It works well over major chord progressions for bright, consonant melodies.
Is the F Desh scale the same as F major?
No, the F Desh scale is different from F major. F major has the notes F, Gb, G, Ab, A, Bb, B, C, Db, D, Eb, E (formula: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7), while F Desh has F, G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb (formula: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - b7).
What chords go well with the F Desh scale?
Chords that work well with the F Desh scale include I - bVII - IV. The scale's major character makes it compatible with World and Indian chord progressions.