[Fretsource]

If you want to have a go at sounding exotic, try improvising on this Indian scale:
D Eb F# G A Bb C# D.
I've written it in D because it's easy to add a 'drone' with the open 4th and also the open 6th if you drop that to D (as I've done in the few seconds of improvisation after the scale)
An Indian friend showed it to me some years ago although sometimes I think it sounds more 'middle east' than Indian. He didn't know any name for it but I've since found it named as The Bhairavi raga and the Byzantine scale. Maybe Kush can tell us more if he recognises it. (after he stops laughing, of course.)
Apart from improvising, it also works well with multi track layering. Here's one I did earlier. It's a piece I composed a couple of years ago called Eastern Wave. Thanks for listening - Namaste!

[nagukush]

Hey Buddy !!!

I'm speechless !!! Reallly awesome work

Great playing and composing ! Yes, it has Arabic flavour to it !

I think I dont have enough words to express how much I enjoyed that, but I must say you're greatly talented ! Thanks for the wonderful listen ! If I may say this, I've become your fan after listening to it

I cant really explain much about the "Indian-Music" (cause I'm not Indian-classically trained), but seems so much familiar ! I should say, you've made my day (or should I say night , its 1 am here...lol)

I really want to thank you again for it ! Great playin, Pal !

Take care and Have a great day !

Kindest Regards and Lots of Care
Kush

[allthumbs]

That was great Fret.

[krissovo]

I like them the Indian one is similar the Stones and paint it black, well to me (i think the inspiration came from that part of the world)

[si16]

A great listen, fantastic backing track, thanks for posting.

[seagull]

Wow, nice sounding song, loved that.

[namiguShin]

Hey, the first few tones from this indian scale reminds of that fastpicking tune from Pulp Fiction soundtrack... you know, the one that those Black Eyed Peas have used as sample in their song recently... (and please don't kill me for mentioning them )

WOW!!! Please tell me that you are a big star in Scotland, Fretsource, 'cause this sounds GREAT!!! Well, if the previous isn't from a soundtrack, Eastern Wave surely could be in some blockbuster movie... Great one, Fret! Way to go!

Cheers

[Fretsource]

Thanks everyone - I'm glad you liked it. Try improvising the scale - it's fun to play and can transport you out east for a while - except for Kush who's already there - lucky man!

[Jim]

Very beautiful music!

That's a gorgeous scale and a lot could be done with it. I love your Eastern Wave.

Jim

[737blues]

Fantastic stuff, thanks for posting that fretsource. Just listening to that scale and your demo is inspirational, easy to hear why players/songwriters like George Harrison and his peers were so taken with it.

[Kirk Lorange]

Very cool, FS ... very cool. Eastern Wave is just gorgeous, beautifully played and recorded.

So the scale is:

1 b2 3 4 5 b6 7 ... is that right?

[scotty_b]

That sounds fantastic.
If anyone is interested this link http://www.e-chords.com/escalas.asp has the construction for a number of scales, including the Byzantine.

[Misty2u]

Wow fret...................those are great. Thanks

[joe_strummer]

Stunning playing, great to hear some other styles of music, keep up the great work

[Fretsource]

Thanks a lot everyone - this could become addictive
Kirk - yes "1 b2 3 4 5 b6 7" That's exactly right.