Gb 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
- Gb 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
1Gbroot
2Abmajor 2nd
4Cbperfect 4th
5Dbperfect 5th
6Ebmajor 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
- GbWAbWHCbWDbWEb
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IGbpoint of resttonic
VDbsupports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
IGbGb
IIAbAb
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This scale on guitar 🎸
See how Gb 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.