D Purvi Raga Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Double Drop D tuning — fretboard diagram
D Purvi Raga in Double Drop D — Notes and Intervals
The D Purvi Raga scale is an afternoon Raga that conveys serenity and intense focus. On Guitar, the notes are D, Eb, F#, G, G#, A, Bb, C#. It is traditionally performed during the working hours to maintain inner calm and spiritual connection amidst daily activity. Commonly used in Indian Classical, World, Meditation. Notable players include Ravi Shankar, Vilayat Khan. Traditionally used over a drone. In Western harmony, try over sus chords or pedal tones.
Notes: D, Eb, F#, G, G#, A, Bb, C#
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3M, 4P, 4A, 5P, 6m, 7M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 #5 6 b7 8
Formula: H-WH-H-H-H-H-WH-H
Number of notes: 8
Tuning: Double Drop D (D-A-D-G-B-D)
About Double Drop D Tuning
Double Drop D tuning (D-A-D-G-B-D) lowers both the 6th and 1st strings from E to D, creating a symmetrical frame of D notes around the standard middle four strings. This gives a distinctly resonant, jangly character that has been beloved in folk-rock and acoustic music since the late 1960s.
Neil Young used Double Drop D extensively — 'Cinnamon Girl' features its distinctive droning riff, and 'The Needle and the Damage Done' showcases its intimate fingerpicking potential. Jimmy Page used it on Led Zeppelin's 'Going to California'. Fleetwood Mac's 'The Chain' also employs this tuning. Because only two strings change (both by just one whole step), Double Drop D is one of the easiest alternate tunings to learn — most standard chord shapes on the inner four strings remain unchanged.
Notable artists: Neil Young, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Fleetwood Mac, Crosby Stills Nash & Young
Best for: Folk-rock songwriting, D-centric acoustic arrangements, droning fingerpicking patterns, and any song that benefits from rich D-string resonance on both outer strings
Musical Character
An afternoon raga that conveys serenity and intense focus. Its intervals are designed to maintain inner calm during the working hours.
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- D Purvi Raga in Standard Tuning
- D Purvi Raga in Drop D
- D Purvi Raga in DADGAD
- D Purvi Raga in Open G
- D Purvi Raga in Baritone (B Standard)
- D Purvi Raga in 7-string
- D Purvi Raga in 8-string
- D Purvi Raga in Drop C
- D Purvi Raga in Drop B
- D Purvi Raga in Open D
- D Purvi Raga in Half Step Down
- D Purvi Raga in Open E
- D Purvi Raga in Open A
- D Purvi Raga in Open C