B Iwato (Japanese)
A Japanese pentatonic scale, 1–b2–4–b5–b7; the minor 2nds 1–b2 and 4–b5 intensify tension.
Octaves
Musical context
How the scale relates to the chord, mode, key and progression.
Theory
General info
- Name
- B Iwato (Japanese)
- Family
- Pentatonic scales
- Note count
- 5
- Step formula
- H – 4 – H – 4 – W
- Numeric formula
- 0-1-4-1-4-2
Notes & degrees
1Broot
b2Cminor 2nd
4Eperfect 4th
b5Fdim 5th
b7Aminor 7th
Construction
- Overview
- A Japanese pentatonic scale, 1–b2–4–b5–b7; the minor 2nds 1–b2 and 4–b5 intensify tension.
- Application in music
- The lowered 2nd tends toward the tonic and the diminished 5th toward the perfect 5th; both emphasise instability.
- Interval formula
- BHC2WEHF2WA
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IBnominal centretonic
Typical resolutions & tensions
IBB
IICC
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This scale on guitar 🎸
See how B Iwato (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.