Ab Yo (Japanese)
A Japanese pentatonic scale, 1–2–4–5–6, with no semitones; an open, stable sound.
Octaves
Musical context
How the scale relates to the chord, mode, key and progression.
Theory
General info
- Name
- Ab Yo (Japanese)
- Family
- Pentatonic scales
- Note count
- 5
- Step formula
- W – W+H – W – W – W+H
- Numeric formula
- 0-2-3-2-2-3
Notes & degrees
1Abroot
2Bbmajor 2nd
4Dbperfect 4th
5Ebperfect 5th
6Fmajor 6th
Construction
- Overview
- A Japanese pentatonic scale, 1–2–4–5–6, with no semitones; an open, stable sound.
- Application in music
- With no 3rd, it fixes neither major nor minor; 4th, 5th and 6th support an open modal sound.
- Interval formula
- AbWBbWHDbWEbWF
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IAbpoint of resttonic
VEbsupports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
IAbAb
IIBbBb
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This scale on guitar 🎸
See how Ab Yo (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.