A Iwato Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
A Iwato Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A Iwato scale is a dark and brooding Japanese pentatonic scale. On Guitar, its notes are A, Bb, D, Eb, G. It is essentially a pentatonic Locrian mode, known for its unstable and mysterious character, often used to depict shadows or deep contemplation. Commonly used in Japanese, Metal, Dark Ambient, Experimental. Notable players include Marty Friedman, Meshuggah. Use over diminished or m7b5 chords. Excellent for dark ambient textures and metal riffs with an Eastern edge.
Notes: A, Bb, D, Eb, G
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 4P, 5d, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 b5
Formula: H-4-H-4-W
Number of notes: 5
How to Play A Iwato on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 5 on the 6th (low E) to find your A root note. With only 5 notes, this scale fits comfortably in a two-notes-per-string pattern across all six strings. Focus on learning a single box shape first before connecting positions.
The A Iwato scale contains 2 flats (Bb, Eb). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Practice the A Iwato scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 80 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 5 notes of the scale.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in A. Try a A5 - Eb5 - G5 progression.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, try playing the A Iwato scale using legato technique (hammer-ons and pull-offs) to develop a smooth, connected sound. This is particularly effective for pentatonic scale runs.
The A Iwato scale contains 5 notes (A, Bb, D, Eb, G). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for A Iwato
The A Iwato 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.
Explore A Iwato Further
- Harmonize the A Iwato scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- A Iwato on Ukulele
- A Iwato on Bass
- A Iwato on Piano
Explore A Iwato in Other Tunings
- A Iwato in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- A Iwato in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- A Iwato in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- A Iwato in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- A Iwato in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- A Iwato in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- A Iwato in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- A Iwato in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- A Iwato in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- A Iwato in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- A Iwato in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- A Iwato in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- A Iwato in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- A Iwato in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)