C Kokin Joshi Bass Scale
Bass scale — fretboard diagramIntermediate
C Kokin Joshi Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C Kokin Joshi scale is a traditional Japanese koto tuning that blends anhemitonic and hemitonic characteristics, with wide intervals in its lower portion giving way to a tight semitone above. On Bass, the notes are C, D, F, G, Ab. This asymmetry shifts mood between open warmth and delicate tension, making it a refined vehicle for the classical Japanese court poetry tradition. Commonly used in Japanese, Traditional, Ambient, Film Scores. Notable players include Michio Miyagi, Tadao Sawai. Use over sus2, minor, and open string drones. The mix of wide and narrow intervals supports both sweeping melodic gestures and intimate ornamental phrases.
Notes: C, D, F, G, Ab
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 4P, 5P, 6m
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 b5
Formula: W-WH-W-H-4
Number of notes: 5
Musical Character
A pentatonic that blends anhemitonic (no semitones) and hemitonic (with semitones) characteristics: the lower portion uses wide intervals while the upper portion includes a tight semitone. This asymmetry creates a scale that shifts mood between open warmth and delicate tension.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Japanese, Traditional, Ambient, Film Scores
Notable players: Michio Miyagi, Tadao Sawai
How to Use the C Kokin Joshi Scale
Use over sus2, minor, and open string drones. The mix of wide and narrow intervals supports both sweeping melodic gestures and intimate ornamental phrases.
Origin & Background
Named after one of the principal tunings of the Japanese koto. The Kokin Joshi tuning is associated with classical Japanese court poetry set to music, where its balanced character complements the refined aesthetic of waka verse.
How to Play C Kokin Joshi on Bass
On bass, locate C on the A string at fret 3. This 5-note scale can be played across two strings without shifting, making it ideal for groove-based lines.
The C Kokin Joshi scale contains 1 flat (Ab). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the C Kokin Joshi scale in groups of four notes, shifting the starting note each repetition. This builds muscle memory across the entire scale range. After a week, try improvising short 4-bar phrases using only these notes.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in C. Try a C5 - G5 - Ab5 progression. This scale is especially effective in traditional contexts.
Bass Tips
On bass, use the C Kokin Joshi scale to build walking bass lines by targeting chord tones on strong beats and using scale tones as approach notes. This is the foundation of functional bass playing. Aim for a wistful quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
The C Kokin Joshi scale contains 5 notes (C, D, F, G, Ab). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each shape and pattern on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges. Practice ascending and descending from the root note to learn the sound of this scale.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for C Kokin Joshi
The C Kokin Joshi scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 5-note pentatonic scale, 2-notes-per-string patterns are the most ergonomic way to traverse the fretboard. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.