E Tsinganikos Piano Scale
Piano scale diagramAdvanced
E Tsinganikos Scale — Notes and Intervals
The E Tsinganikos scale is a Greek dromos named after the Romani musical communities of Greece, corresponding to the Persian scale with its dual augmented seconds creating a winding, serpentine melodic character. On Piano, the notes are E, F, G#, A, Bb, C#, D. It captures the fierce intensity and ornamental virtuosity of Romani-influenced Greek music, serving as a vehicle for the most passionate vocal and instrumental improvisations in the Laiko tradition. Commonly used in Greek Folk, Romani, Rebetiko, Laiko. Notable players include Stelios Kazantzidis, Glykeria. Use over sustained pedal tones and drone-based harmony in Greek folk and Romani contexts. The ornamental potential of the dual augmented 2nds drives the improvisatory passages of Romani-influenced Greek music.
Notes: E, F, G#, A, Bb, C#, D
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3M, 4P, 5d, 6M, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 5 6 b7
Formula: H-WH-H-H-WH-H-W
Number of notes: 7
Musical Character
The Greek folk version of the Persian scale. Named 'of the Roma' in Greek, it carries the passionate intensity associated with Romani musical expression. The dual augmented 2nds create a winding, serpentine melodic character.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Greek Folk, Romani, Rebetiko, Laiko
Notable players: Stelios Kazantzidis, Glykeria
How to Use the E Tsinganikos Scale
Use over sustained pedal tones and drone-based harmony in Greek folk and Romani contexts. The ornamental potential of the dual augmented 2nds drives the improvisatory passages of Romani-influenced Greek music.
Origin & Background
The Greek dromos corresponding to the Persian scale. The name Tsinganikos literally means 'Romani-style' in Greek, reflecting its strong association with the Roma musical communities of Greece. Functions as the 5th mode of Hijazkiar.
How to Play E Tsinganikos on Piano
On piano, the E Tsinganikos scale uses 3 black keys. Start with your thumb on E and use the black keys as landmarks for consistent finger placement. Standard major or minor fingering patterns apply.
The E Tsinganikos scale contains both sharps and flats (2 sharps, 1 flat), which is common in altered and exotic scales. This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Begin by playing the E Tsinganikos scale ascending and descending at 100 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (E-G#, F-A) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Exotic scales like the Tsinganikos often work best as a melodic layer over a single root drone on E. Let the unique intervals speak for themselves without frequent chord changes. This scale is especially effective in greek folk contexts.
Piano Tips
At the piano, try voicing the E Tsinganikos scale in the left hand as blocked intervals (thirds or sixths) while the right hand plays the melody. This develops your harmonic ear and comping skills simultaneously. Aim for a passionate quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
The E Tsinganikos scale contains 7 notes (E, F, G#, A, Bb, C#, D). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each shape and pattern on Piano. Practice ascending and descending from the root note to learn the sound of this scale.