C Balinese Pelog Scale on the Piano - How to play, How to improvise, How to compose music with this scale

Notes: C, Db, Eb, G, and Ab - Key: C - Origin: Balinese - Category: Hexatonic Scales

The C Balinese Pelog uses six notes per octave. Because of this same reason it is a member of the so called Hexatonic -scales that have Six-note (or Six-tone). On the piano keyboard, it is made up of three black keys: Db, Eb, and Ab and two white keys: C, and G. This combination makes this scale - as well as the C Prometheus, C Prometheus Liszt, and C Prometheus Neapolitan - as great choices for composing or improvising Balinese music.

If we take a look a the key signature of the C Balinese Pelog Scale we can find it has three flats and no sharps. Therefore, on sheet music you will find three accidentals on the score. The notes of this scale are: C, Db, Eb, G, and Ab.

How to play the C Balinese Pelog scale?

  1. 1
    To play the C Balinese Pelog on your piano, start on the Root note. Play C, the first note of the scale.
  2. 2
    Continue with rest of the notes that shape the scale, play Db, Eb, G, and Ab.
  3. 3
    Return to the home of the C Balinese Pelog scale. Play again C -the tonic of the scale- to mark its ending.

How to play the scale in descending fashion?

  1. 1
    Begin on the last note. Play the C, the last (and first) note of the scale.
  2. 2
    Go down. Play Ab, G, Eb, and Db.
  3. 3
    Reach the home again. Establish tonality by playing the tonic of the C Balinese Pelog scale: C.
  4. 4
    Tip. If you want to learn how to improvise or compose your own music using the C Balinese Pelog scale or any other scale, check out our step-by-step online piano lessons, piano courses, and interactive piano apps and enjoy thousands of interactive multimedia piano animations. Discover 'Logic Behind Music' and learn how to play your favorite songs, play by ear, improvise, and even create your own music!
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