A Hirajoshi (Japanese)
A Japanese pentatonic scale, 1–2–b3–5–b6; two minor 2nds make its minor sound more tense.
Octaves
Musical context
How the scale relates to the chord, mode, key and progression.
Theory
General info
- Name
- A Hirajoshi (Japanese)
- Family
- Pentatonic scales
- Note count
- 5
- Step formula
- W – H – 4 – H – 4
- Numeric formula
- 0-2-1-4-1-4
Notes & degrees
1Aroot
2Bmajor 2nd
b3Cminor 3rd
5Eperfect 5th
b6Fminor 6th
Construction
- Overview
- A Japanese pentatonic scale, 1–2–b3–5–b6; two minor 2nds make its minor sound more tense.
- Application in music
- Lowered 3rd and 6th degrees supply minor colour; semitones 2–b3 and 5–b6 create the main tendencies.
- Interval formula
- AWBHC2WEHF
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IApoint of resttonic
VEsupports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
IAA
IIBB
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This scale on guitar 🎸
See how A Hirajoshi (Japanese) looks on guitar.
Circle of fifths
The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.
Connections
Practice
Keyboard Trainer
Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.