Yona-nuki
Japanese pentatonicA five-note scale that drops the 4th (fa) and 7th (ti). It shares the exact pitches of the major pentatonic — the nostalgic, “Japanese” feel comes from those two missing notes.
Japanese & Asian scales
Hear Japanese and Asian scales, don’t just read about them
From Yona-nuki, Ryukyu and Miyako-bushi to Arabic, Persian and Hungarian scales — play the same melody (Twinkle) through each one to feel the character no text can convey. We sort out the common myths as you listen.
Japanese scales
Ryukyu (Okinawan)
RyukyuDo–mi–fa–so–ti: the 2nd and 6th are dropped, giving the bright Okinawan sound. Compare it with the Niro-nuki scale to hear the difference.
Miyako-bushi
In scaleA dark, shadowed five-note scale with two semitones, used in shamisen and koto music (the In / yin mode). It belongs to a different lineage than gagaku’s Ritsu/Ryo.
Asian & world scales
Arabic scale
Double harmonicTwo augmented seconds give this its distinctive Middle-Eastern color. Note it is not the same as a maqam, which uses microtones this equal-tempered scale cannot.
Persian scale
PersianSemitones and an augmented second make an eerie darkness — and, despite the name, it is not actually a scale of Persian music. Hear why.
Hungarian minor
Hungarian minorA dramatic minor with two augmented seconds, often confused with the “Gypsy scale” (Phrygian dominant). Hear how the two differ.
More Japanese scales in the dictionary
Yo (Ritsu), Min’yo, Iwato, Hirajoshi and Kumoi scales are all in the Scale Dictionary, shown on both keyboard and guitar fretboard. Change the root to try them in your own instrument’s key.
Open the Scale Dictionary