The Balinese (Pelog) scale on bass:
notes, formula and position

The Balinese (Pelog) scale has 5 notes: 1 ♭2 ♭3 5 ♭6. In A, that gives A, B♭, C, E and F. A pentatonic inspired by the pelog tuning of Balinese and Javanese gamelan: two half steps, a deep and mysterious color.

Also called: Pelog scale, gamelan scale.

Formula and notes

1 ♭2 ♭3 5 ♭6

The steps between the notes, from the root to the octave: half step – whole step – two whole steps – half step – two whole steps. In A:

One position on the neck

The Balinese (Pelog) scale in A, in the 5th-fret position: one finger per fret, from the 4th to the 8th fret, on all four strings. The numbers are the degrees; the root is in gold.

The same position as bass tab (fret by fret, from the low E string to the G string):

G|-5-|
D|-7--8-|
A|-7--8-|
E|-5--6--8-|

For another key, move the whole shape: the root on the E string sets the key (3rd fret for G, 8th fret for C).

The sound of the Balinese (Pelog) scale

The selisir mode of pelog, the Balinese gamelan scale (approximated in semitones). Very different from our Western scales.

You mostly hear it in gamelan, world music and ambient.

Which chords to play it over

In A, the Balinese (Pelog) scale fits Am. On bass, keep the root on the strong beats and use the other notes to connect the chords.

Neighbouring scales

These scales differ from the Balinese (Pelog) scale by a single note. Comparing them lets you hear exactly what that note brings.

• The Hirajoshi scale: 2 instead of ♭2.

Practice it with UnitBasse

This diagram shows a single position, in a single key. In UnitBasse, this scale is shown across the whole neck and in all twelve keys, as note names, intervals or degrees, with one color per degree. You can listen to it, see the chords that go with it, switch keys in one click, and play it over a chord chart with BackTrack, the app’s backing band. The app has 69 scales in 12 families.

Frequently asked questions