C Kafi Raga Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
C Kafi Raga Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C Kafi Raga scale is a romantic and playful Raga that mirrors the Western Dorian mode. On Guitar, it contains the notes C, Eb, E, F, G, A, Bb, B. It is welcoming and accessible, often used in folk-inspired classical music to express joy and lightheartedness. Commonly used in Indian Classical, Folk, World, Fusion. Notable players include Ali Akbar Khan, Zakir Hussain. Use over m7 chords — identical to Dorian usage. The most 'jazz-friendly' raga for fusion experimentation.
Notes: C, Eb, E, F, G, A, Bb, B
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 3M, 4P, 5P, 6M, 7m, 7M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 5 6 b7 8
Formula: WH-H-H-W-W-H-H-H
Number of notes: 8
How to Play C Kafi Raga on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 8 on the 6th (low E) to find your C root note. Because this scale has 8 notes, four-notes-per-string stretches may be necessary. Start with a single position and expand gradually. Keep your thumb centered behind the neck for reach.
The C Kafi Raga scale contains 2 flats (Eb, Bb). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Practice the C Kafi Raga scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 80 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 8 notes of the scale.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on C to let the characteristic intervals of the Kafi Raga scale come through clearly.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, try playing the C Kafi Raga scale using legato technique (hammer-ons and pull-offs) to develop a smooth, connected sound. This is particularly effective for longer scale runs.
The C Kafi Raga scale contains 8 notes (C, Eb, E, F, G, A, Bb, B). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for C Kafi Raga
The C Kafi Raga scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 8-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore C Kafi Raga Further
- Harmonize the C Kafi Raga scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- C Kafi Raga on Ukulele
- C Kafi Raga on Bass
- C Kafi Raga on Piano
Explore C Kafi Raga in Other Tunings
- C Kafi Raga in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Kafi Raga in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- C Kafi Raga in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- C Kafi Raga in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- C Kafi Raga in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- C Kafi Raga in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- C Kafi Raga in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- C Kafi Raga in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- C Kafi Raga in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- C Kafi Raga in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- C Kafi Raga in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- C Kafi Raga in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- C Kafi Raga in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Kafi Raga in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)