D Todi Raga Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open C tuning — fretboard diagram
D Todi Raga in Open C — Notes and Intervals
The D Todi Raga scale is a meditative morning Raga from the Indian classical tradition. On Guitar, its notes are D, Eb, F, G#, A, Bb, C#. It is associated with deep reflection and philosophical contemplation, using its unique notes to evoke a mood of gentle, serious introspection. Commonly used in Indian Classical, World, Meditation, Film Scores. Notable players include Ravi Shankar, Nikhil Banerjee. Traditionally used over a drone (tanpura). In Western harmony, try over sustained root notes or minimal chord changes.
Notes: D, Eb, F, G#, A, Bb, C#
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3m, 4A, 5P, 6m, 7M
Degrees: 1 b2 b3 #4 5 b6 7
Formula: H-W-WH-H-H-WH-H
Number of notes: 7
Tuning: Open C (C-G-C-G-C-E)
About Open C Tuning
Open C tuning (C-G-C-G-C-E) produces a C major chord when strummed open, with an enormous bass depth from the low C string (two whole steps below standard E). The tuning spans a vast tonal range that gives compositions an almost orchestral scope, making it a favorite for both delicate fingerstyle and crushing heavy music.
John Butler's 'Ocean' — one of the most famous modern fingerstyle compositions — is performed in Open C, showcasing the tuning's incredible dynamic range from thundering bass to shimmering harmonics. Devin Townsend uses Open C extensively across his catalog for its massive, wall-of-sound potential. Jimmy Page used it on Led Zeppelin's 'Friends' from Led Zeppelin III. Soundgarden also explored Open C. The three C strings and two G strings create powerful octave resonances that make even simple chord shapes sound huge.
Notable artists: John Butler, Devin Townsend, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Soundgarden, William Ackerman
Best for: Cinematic fingerstyle compositions, progressive metal walls of sound, post-rock textures, and any music that needs enormous tonal range from deep bass to bright treble
Musical Character
A morning raga associated with deep philosophical contemplation. In the Indian system, specific ragas are tied to times of day — Todi is for the hours of introspection at dawn.
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- D Todi Raga in Standard Tuning
- D Todi Raga in Drop D
- D Todi Raga in DADGAD
- D Todi Raga in Open G
- D Todi Raga in Baritone (B Standard)
- D Todi Raga in 7-string
- D Todi Raga in 8-string
- D Todi Raga in Drop C
- D Todi Raga in Drop B
- D Todi Raga in Open D
- D Todi Raga in Half Step Down
- D Todi Raga in Open E
- D Todi Raga in Open A
- D Todi Raga in Double Drop D