C# Ichikosucho Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
C# Ichikosucho Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C# Ichikosucho scale is an ancient Japanese court music scale used in Gagaku ceremonies. On Guitar, it contains the notes C#, D#, F, F#, G, G#, A#, C. It has a Lydian-like structure and is used to evoke a sense of imperial majesty and historical tradition. Commonly used in Japanese, Classical, Film Scores. Notable players include Takemitsu, Hosokawa. Use over Maj7#11 in Japanese-influenced compositions. Adds cultural authenticity to Eastern-themed scores.
Notes: C#, D#, F, F#, G, G#, A#, C
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 4P, 5d, 5P, 6M, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Formula: W-W-H-H-H-W-W-H
Number of notes: 8
How to Play C# Ichikosucho on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 9 on the 6th (low E) to find your C# root note. Because this scale has 8 notes, four-notes-per-string stretches may be necessary. Start with a single position and expand gradually. Keep your thumb centered behind the neck for reach.
The C# Ichikosucho scale contains 5 sharps (C#, D#, F#, G#, A#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Practice the C# Ichikosucho 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 8 notes of the scale.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on C# to let the characteristic intervals of the Ichikosucho scale come through clearly.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, try playing the C# Ichikosucho scale using legato technique (hammer-ons and pull-offs) to develop a smooth, connected sound. This is particularly effective for longer scale runs.
The C# Ichikosucho scale contains 8 notes (C#, D#, F, F#, G, G#, A#, C). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for C# Ichikosucho
The C# Ichikosucho 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 8-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore C# Ichikosucho Further
- Harmonize the C# Ichikosucho scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- C# Ichikosucho on Ukulele
- C# Ichikosucho on Bass
- C# Ichikosucho on Piano
Explore C# Ichikosucho in Other Tunings
- C# Ichikosucho in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- C# Ichikosucho in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- C# Ichikosucho in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- C# Ichikosucho in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- C# Ichikosucho in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- C# Ichikosucho in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- C# Ichikosucho in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- C# Ichikosucho in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- C# Ichikosucho in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- C# Ichikosucho in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- C# Ichikosucho in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- C# Ichikosucho in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- C# Ichikosucho in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- C# Ichikosucho in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)