B In-sen Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
B In-sen Scale — Notes and Intervals
The B In-sen scale is the classic Wind Chime scale from Japan. On Guitar, the notes are B, C, E, F#, A. This Japanese tuning is instantly recognizable and is used globally to evoke a sense of calm, Zen-like tranquility, and natural beauty. Commonly used in Japanese, Ambient, Film Scores, New Age. Notable players include Miyavi, Kitaro. Use over sus4, m7, and drone-based harmony. Perfect for ambient and meditative music with minimal chord movement.
Notes: B, C, E, F#, A
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 4P, 5P, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 b5
Formula: H-4-W-WH-W
Number of notes: 5
How to Play B In-sen on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 7 on the 6th (low E) to find your B 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 B In-sen scale contains 1 sharp (F#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the B In-sen scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (B-E, C-F#) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in B. Try a B5 - F#5 - A5 progression.
Guitar Tips
Use hybrid picking (pick + fingers) when playing the B In-sen scale on guitar to access wider intervals and string skips that a pick alone cannot handle efficiently.
The B In-sen scale contains 5 notes (B, C, E, F#, A). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for B In-sen
The B In-sen 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 B In-sen Further
- Harmonize the B In-sen scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- B In-sen on Ukulele
- B In-sen on Bass
- B In-sen on Piano
Explore B In-sen in Other Tunings
- B In-sen in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- B In-sen in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- B In-sen in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- B In-sen in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- B In-sen in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- B In-sen in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- B In-sen in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- B In-sen in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- B In-sen in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- B In-sen in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- B In-sen in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- B In-sen in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- B In-sen in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- B In-sen in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)