D# 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
D# 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

1D#root
2E#major 2nd
4G#perfect 4th
5A#perfect 5th
6B#major 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
D#
W
E#
WH
G#
W
A#
W
B#

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

ID#point of resttonic
VA#supports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

ID#D#
IIE#E#
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how D# Yo (Japanese) looks on guitar.

Explore

Circle of fifths

The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.

CAmGEmDBmAF#mEC#mBG#mF#D#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmEbmajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
3 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.

Open Trainer

Frequently Asked Questions