C Kafi Raga Guitar Scale — 8-string

Guitar scale in 8-string tuning — fretboard diagram

C Kafi Raga in 8-string — 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

Tuning: 8-string (F#-B-E-A-D-G-B-E)

About 8-string Tuning

The 8-string guitar adds both a low B and a low F# string (F#-B-E-A-D-G-B-E), pushing the instrument's range almost into bass guitar territory. This massive tonal range has become the weapon of choice for djent, progressive metal, and experimental composers who need bone-crushing low-end and soaring highs in a single instrument.

With artists like Tosin Abasi, Meshuggah, and After the Burial leading the charge, the 8-string guitar has redefined what's possible in modern heavy music. The low F# string delivers subsonic heaviness that you can feel in your chest, while the upper strings maintain standard guitar voicings for leads and clean passages. Extended-range compositions often exploit the full span of the instrument, creating a wall of sound that covers bass, rhythm, and lead guitar roles simultaneously.

DjentProgressive MetalTechnical Death MetalExperimentalAmbient

Notable artists: Meshuggah, Animals as Leaders, After the Burial, Intervals, Monuments

Best for: Djent polyrhythms, extended-range metal riffs, experimental compositions, and one-instrument arrangements spanning bass to lead

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

← All Guitar scales in 8-string tuning