Root & scale

Ab hirajoshi

A♭

I

B♭

II

C♭

bIII

E♭

V

F♭

bVI

Fretboard positions

select a scale fingering system to highlight fretting positions

F♭4
F
G♭
G
A♭
A
B♭
C♭
C
D♭
D
E♭
F♭
F
G♭
G
A♭
A
B♭
C♭
C
D♭
D
E♭
C♭3
C
D♭
D
E♭
F♭
F
G♭
G
A♭
A
B♭
C♭
C
D♭
D
E♭
F♭
F
G♭
G
A♭
A
B♭
G3
A♭
A
B♭
C♭
C
D♭
D
E♭
F♭
F
G♭
G
A♭
A
B♭
C♭
C
D♭
D
E♭
F♭
F
G♭
D3
E♭
F♭
F
G♭
G
A♭
A
B♭
C♭
C
D♭
D
E♭
F♭
F
G♭
G
A♭
A
B♭
C♭
C
D♭
A2
B♭
C♭
C
D♭
D
E♭
F♭
F
G♭
G
A♭
A
B♭
C♭
C
D♭
D
E♭
F♭
F
G♭
G
A♭
F♭2
F
G♭
G
A♭
A
B♭
C♭
C
D♭
D
E♭
F♭
F
G♭
G
A♭
A
B♭
C♭
C
D♭
D
E♭
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23

Listen to the Ab hirajoshi scale

bpm: 120
start at and

How to use the Ab hirajoshi scale

The Hirajoshi scale is a Japanese five-note scale known for its exotic and ancient sound. It's commonly used in traditional Japanese music and has a distinctive tonal quality.

tip
  • The Hirajoshi scale is a traditional Japanese pentatonic scale, known for its dark and haunting sound. Focus on the flat 3rd (bIII) and flat 5th (bV) intervals.
  • Use the Hirajoshi scale for soloing in rock, metal, or film music to evoke a dramatic, Eastern sound.
  • Incorporate the Hirajoshi scale into compositions where you want a somber, meditative mood, especially in slower tempos.
  • Blend the Hirajoshi scale with the natural minor scale to add an exotic flavor to otherwise standard minor-key melodies.
  • Practice using the Hirajoshi scale over sustained or drone notes for ambient or atmospheric compositions, enhancing the scale's dark tonal quality.