A Pelog Guitar Scale

A Pelog Scale — Notes and Intervals

The A Pelog scale is the primary modal system of Indonesian Gamelan music. On Guitar, its notes are A, Bb, C, E, F. Unlike Western scales, it uses intervals that create a unique, shimmering harmonic world that feels ancient and deeply spiritual. Commonly used in Gamelan, World, Ambient, Experimental. Notable players include Steve Reich, Debussy, Lou Harrison. Use over drones and ostinato patterns. Gamelan music is built on interlocking melodic patterns rather than chord progressions.

Notes: A, Bb, C, E, F

Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3m, 5P, 6m

Degrees: 1 b2 b3 4 b5

Formula: H-W-4-H-4

Number of notes: 5

Musical Character

The primary modal system of Indonesian Gamelan — its intervals are fundamentally different from Western scales, creating a shimmering, otherworldly harmonic world.

Genres & Notable Artists

Genres: Gamelan, World, Ambient, Experimental

Notable players: Steve Reich, Debussy, Lou Harrison

How to Use the A Pelog Scale

Use over drones and ostinato patterns. Gamelan music is built on interlocking melodic patterns rather than chord progressions.

Origin & Background

The second main scale of Javanese and Balinese Gamelan music. Although often considered heptatonic, five notes are principal while two serve as auxiliaries, making it fundamentally pentatonic at its core. Every Gamelan orchestra possesses its own unique tuning — Wayne Vitale compared this individuality to 'vineyard-designated vintage wine'. Claude Debussy remarked that Javanese counterpoint 'makes Palestrina seem like child's play'.

How to Play A Pelog on Guitar

Place your index finger at fret 5 on the 6th (low E) to find your A root note. With only 5 notes, this scale fits comfortably in a two-notes-per-string pattern across all six strings. Focus on learning a single box shape first before connecting positions.

The A Pelog scale contains 1 flat (Bb). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.

Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing

Practice the A Pelog scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 80 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 5 notes of the scale.

This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in A. Try a A5 - E5 - F5 progression. This scale is especially effective in ambient contexts.

Guitar Tips

On guitar, try playing the A Pelog scale using legato technique (hammer-ons and pull-offs) to develop a smooth, connected sound. This is particularly effective for pentatonic scale runs. Aim for a ancient quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.

Related Scales

• A Balinese
• A Hirajoshi
• A In-sen

The A Pelog scale contains 5 notes (A, Bb, C, E, F). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each shape and pattern on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges. Practice ascending and descending from the root note to learn the sound of this scale.

CAGED Positions & Patterns for A Pelog

The A Pelog scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 5-note pentatonic scale, 2-notes-per-string patterns are the most ergonomic way to traverse the fretboard. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.

Explore A Pelog Further

• Harmonize the A Pelog scale — triads & 7th chords
• Browse chord progressions
• A Pelog on Ukulele
• A Pelog on Bass
• A Pelog on Piano

Explore A Pelog in Other Tunings

• A Pelog in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
• A Pelog in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
• A Pelog in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
• A Pelog in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
• A Pelog in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
• A Pelog in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
• A Pelog in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
• A Pelog in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
• A Pelog in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
• A Pelog in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
• A Pelog in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
• A Pelog in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
• A Pelog in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
• A Pelog in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)

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