Exotic Scales and Modes for guitar.

HOME

Pgina 1 de 6

EXOTIC SCALES

SOLOS

These scales are some of my personal favorite to play.

These 'eastern' sounding scales are commonly used by players
such as Marty Friedman (Megadeth), Yngwie Malmsteen, Chuck
Schuldiner, Randy Rhoads, etc...
Notice that these scales have a lot of 1-1/2 and 2 step intervals.
The placement of these wide jumps gives each scale its own distinct
sound. For example: The Japanese, Iwato, and Hirajoshi scales all
contain two 4 fret (2 step) jumps, giving them a very exotic and
almost mystical sound.
A very effective technique to use while soloing using these
types of scales is called rubato, meaning 'robbed time'.
This is done by playing some of the notes slightly out of time
and then getting back in time quickly. Masters of this technique
are Marty Friedman and George Lynch. Now, on with the scales.

Harmonic Minor
(Jewish, Mohammedan, Major Phrygian)
W,H,W,W,H,1+,H

listen to this scale

Spanish Gypsy
This scale is the 5th mode from the Harmonic Minor scale.
This is one of my personal favorites.
H,1+,H,W,H,W,W

listen to this scale

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Styx/1393/guitar/xotic.html

22/03/2003

Exotic Scales and Modes for guitar.

Pgina 2 de 6

Double Harmonic (Gypsy, Byzantine)

H,1+,H,W,H,1+,H

listen to this scale

Hungarian Minor (Algerian)

W,H,1+,H,H,1+,H

listen to this scale

Hungarian Gypsy
W,H,1+,H,H,W,W

listen to this scale

Hungarian Major
1+,H,W,H,W,H,W

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Styx/1393/guitar/xotic.html

22/03/2003

Exotic Scales and Modes for guitar.

Pgina 3 de 6

listen to this scale

Persian
H,1+,H,H,W,1+,H

listen to this scale

Egyptian
This 5 note pentatonic scale is probably the
least exotic sounding scale on this page
W,1+,W,1+,W

listen to this scale

Arabian (Major Locrian)

In my opinion, this scale almost sounds
too exotic for practical use.
W,W,H,H,W,W,W

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Styx/1393/guitar/xotic.html

22/03/2003

Exotic Scales and Modes for guitar.

Pgina 4 de 6
listen to this scale

Oriental
H,1+,H,H,1+,H,W

listen to this scale

Chinese (Mongolian)
Oddly enough, this scale is also called the 'Country Pentatonic',
which is used in country and western music...go figure.
W,W,1+,W,1+

listen to this scale

Japanese (Kumoi)
H,2,W,H,2

listen to this scale

Iwato
H,2,H,2,W

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Styx/1393/guitar/xotic.html

22/03/2003

Exotic Scales and Modes for guitar.

Pgina 5 de 6

listen to this scale

Hirajoshi
This 'Elongated' box pattern makes it easier to play the
2 step jumps in this scale, adding speed and smoothness.
W,H,2,H,2

listen to this scale

Kokinjoshi
H,2,W,1+,W

listen to this scale

Lydian Minor
W,W,W,H,H,W,W

listen to this scale

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Styx/1393/guitar/xotic.html

22/03/2003

Exotic Scales and Modes for guitar.

Pgina 6 de 6

Prometheus
W,W,W,2,W

listen to this scale

If you know of an exotic scale that isn't featured here,

please feel free to e-mail it to me.

HOME

EXOTIC SCALES

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Styx/1393/guitar/xotic.html

SOLOS

22/03/2003