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The Iwato Scale For Guitar - Theory Lesson With Formula Charts And Diagrams

The Iwato scale is a Japanese pentatonic scale characterized by its distinctive, exotic sound.

It is derived from the Locrian mode, it omits the minor third (♭3) and minor sixth (♭6).

Construction

The Iwato scale is a Japanese musical scale derived from the Locrian mode, seventh mode of the major scale, without the minor third (b3) and the minor sixth (b6), making it a pentatonic scale.

As a result, its spelling is tonic (1), minor second (b2), perfect fourth (4), diminished fifth (b5) and minor seventh (b7).

It is utilized for the koto in traditional Japanese music and belongs to the Hirajoshi scale.

Iwato scale

C Iwato Scale C Db F Gb Bb
Formula 1 b2 (b9) 4 (11) b5 b7
Intervals H H+W+H H H+W+H W

 

One Octave Shapes

To learn to play the Iwato scale on guitar, here are four basic one-octave patterns.

These are moveable shapes, locate the tonic and you will find the key.

Iwato scale guitar charts

Two Octave Shapes

These two shapes depict the Iwato scale on the guitar neck, which spans at least two octaves.

Iwato scale scale guitar positions

Whole Neck Positions

The Iwato scale is shown below, encompassing the whole guitar neck. Each form begins from each note of the scale, indicating the six modes.

Iwato scale guitar shapes

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Last edited: 2025-06-11

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