STRINGSCALES

G♭ kumoijoshi Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: Gb, Abb, Cb, Db, Ebb at frets 2, 3, 7, 9, 10

A string: Cb, Db, Ebb, Gb, Abb at frets 2, 4, 5, 9, 10

D string: Ebb, Gb, Abb, Cb, Db, Ebb at frets 0, 4, 5, 9, 11, 12

G string: Abb, Cb, Db, Ebb, Gb, Abb at frets 0, 4, 6, 7, 11, 12

B string: Cb, Db, Ebb, Gb, Abb, Cb at frets 0, 2, 3, 7, 8, 12

High E string: Gb, Abb, Cb, Db, Ebb at frets 2, 3, 7, 9, 10

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Gb 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:

G♭

I

A𝄫

bII

C♭

IV

D♭

V

E𝄫

bVI

Same notes, different mode

Gb 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.

G lydian pentatonicCb hirajoshiDb 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 (G) to root, b6 (D) 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 Gb, ending each on the bare 5th (Db).

How to play G♭ kumoijoshi on guitar

Open D, G and B all land in this key as Ebb, Abb and Cb. None of the three works as a pedal, so use them as passing colour rather than a drone. With a capo at fret 2 the grip becomes E, which lets you borrow shapes you already play. Low E fret 2 holds the lowest root, which puts the opening shape right by the nut. First position closes at fret 6.

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