About the C Hirajoshi (Japanese) scale
C Hirajoshi (Japanese) is used for traditional Japanese and koto music. Think of it as a Japanese five-note scale, minor with a flat sixth.
Its notes are C, D, E♭, G, and A♭. The formula is W H 4 semitones H 4 semitones. It is the second mode of A♭ Chinese.
Also called Aeolian Pentatonic and Yona Nuki Minor.
This mode shares D and G with the guitar's open strings. The 3rd fret of the A string is the lowest C on the neck. A full root-to-root octave of C Hirajoshi (Japanese) fits within the first three frets, so it has a real open-position box.
Positions
Playable shapes for this scale up the neck. Tap any note to hear it.
Pentatonic boxes
The five shapes blues and rock are built on, the first scale most guitarists ever solo with, one box per note up the neck.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | CC | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | DD | Major 2nd |
| 3 | EbE♭ | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | GG | Perfect 5th |
| 5 | AbA♭ | Minor 6th |
| Steps | W H 4 semitones H 4 semitones |
|---|---|
| Semitones | 2-1-4-1-4 |
| Degrees | 1 2 ♭3 5 ♭6 |
Shapes
Chromatic
Circle of Fifths
Related scales
Hirajoshi (Japanese) in other keys
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.
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