Scale and Octaves

In Bansuri playing, scale and octave are fundamental concepts that shape the music.
Different ragas are based on different scales, where some swara may be omitted or altered.

1. Scale (Saptak - सप्तक)

A scale consists of seven swara (notes): 🎶Sa - Re - Ga - Ma - Pa - Dha - Ni - Sa.

Sargam Corresponding Western Notes

Sargam (Indian Notes)	Western Notes
Sa (Shadja)	C
Re (Rishabh)	D
Ga (Gandhar)	E
Ma (Madhyam)	F
Pa (Pancham)	G
Dha (Dhaivat)	A
Ni (Nishad)	B

2. Octave (Saptak - सप्तक)

An octave refers to a range of notes from one Sa to the next higher Sa.

Bansuri music is divided into three octaves:

🔹 Mandra Saptak (Low Octave) -Deep, soft tones (using slow airflow)

🔹 Madhya Saptak (Middle Octave) -The natural playing range of the flute

🔹 Taar Saptak (High Octave) -Higher notes, achieved with faster airflow

Notes that can be played in Bansuri

Frequencies of Seven Notes in G# Scale Bansuri Across Octaves

Swar	Western Equivalent	Mandra Saptak (Low Octave)	Madhya Saptak (Middle Octave)	Taar Saptak (High Octave)
Sa	G#	207.65 Hz	415.30 Hz	830.61 Hz
Re	A#	233.08 Hz	466.16 Hz	932.33 Hz
Ga	C	261.63 Hz	523.25 Hz	1046.50 Hz
Ma	C#	277.18 Hz	554.37 Hz	1108.73 Hz
Pa	D#	311.13 Hz	622.25 Hz	1244.51 Hz
Dha	F	349.23 Hz	698.46 Hz	1396.91 Hz
Ni	G	391.99 Hz	783.99 Hz	1567.98 Hz

Frequencies of Seven Notes in A Scale Bansuri Across Octaves

Swar (Note)	Western Equivalent	Mandra Saptak (Low Octave)	Madhya Saptak (Middle Octave)	Taar Saptak (High Octave)
Sa	A	220.00 Hz	440.00 Hz	880.00 Hz
Re	B	246.94 Hz	493.88 Hz	987.77 Hz
Ga	C#	277.18 Hz	554.37 Hz	1108.73 Hz
Ma	D	293.66 Hz	587.33 Hz	1174.66 Hz
Pa	E	329.63 Hz	659.25 Hz	1318.51 Hz
Dha	F#	369.99 Hz	739.99 Hz	1479.98 Hz
Ni	G#	415.30 Hz	830.61 Hz	1661.22 Hz
Sa'	A	440.00 Hz	880.00 Hz	1760.00 Hz

Frequencies of seven Notes in D Scale Bansuri Across Octaves

Swara	Western Note	Lower Octave (Hz)	Middle Octave (Hz)	Higher Octave (Hz)
Sa	D	146.83	293.66	587.33
Re	E	164.81	329.63	659.25
Ga	F#	185.00	370.00	740.00
Ma	G	196.00	392.00	784.00
Pa	A	220.00	440.00	880.00
Dha	B	246.94	493.88	987.77
Ni	C#	277.18	554.37	1108.73
Sa'	D	293.66	587.33	1174.66

Different scales impact the pitch, tone, and playability of the flute

Pitch Analyzer

Open Pitch Analyzer

Pitch & Frequency

Each scale is based on a root note (Sa), and all other notes are derived from it.
A higher scale flute (e.g., C, D) produces a brighter, sharper sound
while a lower scale flute (e.g., G, A, B) has a deeper, warmer tone.

'Sa' differs for common scales

Sa (Shadja)	Frequency
G# (G#4)	415.30 Hz
A (A4)	440.00 Hz
B (B4)	493.88 Hz
C (C4)	261.63 Hz
D (D4)	293.66 Hz
E (E4)	329.63 Hz
F (F4)	349.23 Hz

Flute types, characteristics, and usage

Flute Scale	Characteristics	Common Usage
Lower Scale Flutes (G, A, B)	Larger in size, deeper sound, needs more breath control	Indian Classical & Semi-Classical music
Higher Scale Flutes (C, D, E, F)	Smaller in size, sharper sound, easier for faster playing	Bollywood, Western fusion, Folk, Devotional music
A & G# Scale Bansuri	Popular for Indian Classical & Semi-Classical music	Solo performances, Ragas
C, D Scale Bansuri	Used in Bollywood & Western fusion music	Film music, Light Classical
E, F Scale Bansuri	Suitable for high-pitched folk and devotional music	Bhajans, Kirtans, Folk music