The In Sen scale on bass:
notes, formula and position

The In Sen scale has 5 notes: 1 ♭2 4 5 ♭7. In A, that gives A, B♭, D, E and G. A Japanese pentatonic with the minor second (♭2): a suspended color, with no third.

Also called: In-Sen, Insen scale, Japanese pentatonic.

Formula and notes

1 ♭2 4 5 ♭7

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

One position on the neck

The In Sen 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|-7-|
D|-5--7--8-|
A|-5--7-|
E|-5--6-|

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 In Sen scale

Very dark Japanese pentatonic. The ♭2 instantly creates oriental tension.

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

Which chords to play it over

In A, the In Sen scale fits Asus4 and A7sus4. 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 In Sen scale by a single note. Comparing them lets you hear exactly what that note brings.

• The Iwato scale: ♭5 instead of 5.
• The Egyptian pentatonic scale: 2 instead of ♭2.
• The minor pentatonic scale: ♭3 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