The Hirajoshi scale on bass:
notes, formula and position

The Hirajoshi scale has 5 notes: 1 2 ♭3 5 ♭6. In A, that gives A, B, C, E and F. A dark Japanese pentatonic with two half steps. It is widely used in metal and ambient music for a “Japanese” color.

Also called: Hirajoshi, Japanese scale, Japanese pentatonic.

Formula and notes

1 2 ♭3 5 ♭6

The steps between the notes, from the root to the octave: whole step – half step – two whole steps – half step – two whole steps. In A:

One position on the neck

The Hirajoshi scale in A, in the 5th-fret position: one finger per fret, from the 4th to the 8th fret, on all four strings. The numbers are the degrees; the root is in gold.

The same position as bass tab (fret by fret, from the low E string to the G string):

G|-4--5-|
D|-7-|
A|-7--8-|
E|-5--7--8-|

For another key, move the whole shape: the root on the E string sets the key (3rd fret for G, 8th fret for C).

The sound of the Hirajoshi scale

Dark Japanese pentatonic. The ♭6 creates dramatic tension.

You mostly hear it in Japanese music, metal and ambient.

Which chords to play it over

In A, the Hirajoshi scale fits Am and Am♭6. On bass, keep the root on the strong beats and use the other notes to connect the chords.

Neighbouring scales

These scales differ from the Hirajoshi scale by a single note. Comparing them lets you hear exactly what that note brings.

• The Kumoi scale: 6 instead of ♭6.
• The Balinese (Pelog) scale: ♭2 instead of 2.

Practice it with UnitBasse

This diagram shows a single position, in a single key. In UnitBasse, this scale is shown across the whole neck and in all twelve keys, as note names, intervals or degrees, with one color per degree. You can listen to it, see the chords that go with it, switch keys in one click, and play it over a chord chart with BackTrack, the app’s backing band. The app has 69 scales in 12 families.

Frequently asked questions