STRINGSCALES

A kumoijoshi Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F, A, Bb, D, E at frets 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 12

A string: A, Bb, D, E, F, A at frets 0, 1, 5, 7, 8, 12

D string: D, E, F, A, Bb, D at frets 0, 2, 3, 7, 8, 12

G string: A, Bb, D, E, F at frets 2, 3, 7, 9, 10

B string: D, E, F, A, Bb at frets 3, 5, 6, 10, 11

High E string: E, F, A, Bb, D, E at frets 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 12

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A kumoijoshi

The kumoijoshi scale is a Japanese koto tuning turned scale: root, flat 2nd, 4th, 5th, flat 6th. The two half steps (b2 against the root, b6 against the 5th) do all the work, giving it the sparse, haunting quality of traditional koto music. Guitarists use it for dramatic intros and as a fresh melodic angle over minor chords.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

A

I

B♭

bII

D

IV

E

V

F

bVI

Same notes, different mode

A kumoijoshi uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

Bb lydian pentatonicD hirajoshiE iwato

kumoijoshi in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • A koto tuning turned scale: sparse by design, so let notes ring into each other like open strings.
  • The two half steps (b2 (Bb) to root, b6 (F) to V) do all the expressive work; approach both slowly and resolve down.
  • Play it as arpeggiated open-position clusters near the nut with the root on an open string when the key allows.
  • Dramatic intro trick: rubato phrases over a suspended root drone on A, ending each on the bare 5th (E).

How to play A kumoijoshi on guitar

Open A is the root, open D sits a fourth above and both E strings ring a fifth above, so four of the six strings are in key before you fret a note. Fret 5 on the low E gives the next root up, which means the first box has an obvious floor. Fret 2 on the G string and fret 10 on the B fill in the rest. One flat in the signature. Fret 9 marks where the first shape ends, so the shift point is easy to remember.

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