A# Ichikosucho Piano Scale
Piano scale diagramAdvanced
A# Ichikosucho Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A# Ichikosucho scale is an ancient Japanese court music scale used in Gagaku ceremonies. On Piano, it contains the notes A#, C, D, D#, E, F, G, A. 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: A#, C, D, D#, E, F, G, A
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
Musical Character
An ancient Japanese court music scale with a Lydian-like structure (#4) that evokes imperial majesty and historical tradition.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Japanese, Classical, Film Scores
Notable players: Takemitsu, Hosokawa
How to Use the A# Ichikosucho Scale
Use over Maj7#11 in Japanese-influenced compositions. Adds cultural authenticity to Eastern-themed scores.
Origin & Background
Used in Gagaku (Japanese imperial court music) for ceremonial and formal compositions.
How to Play A# Ichikosucho on Piano
On piano, the A# Ichikosucho scale uses 2 black keys. Start with your thumb on A# and use the black keys as landmarks for consistent finger placement. Standard major or minor fingering patterns apply.
The A# Ichikosucho scale contains 2 sharps (A#, D#). 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 A# Ichikosucho scale ascending and descending at 100 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (A#-D, C-D#) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on A# to let the characteristic intervals of the Ichikosucho scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in japanese contexts.
Piano Tips
At the piano, try voicing the A# Ichikosucho scale in the left hand as blocked intervals (thirds or sixths) while the right hand plays the melody. This develops your harmonic ear and comping skills simultaneously. Aim for a imperial quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
The A# Ichikosucho scale contains 8 notes (A#, C, D, D#, E, F, G, A). Use the interactive piano diagram above to explore this scale on Piano.