D Iwato Banjo 5 String Scale
Banjo 5 String scale in Standard (Open G) tuning — fretboard diagram
TuningStandard (Open G) (GDGBD)
Frets22
D Iwato in Standard (Open G) — Notes and Intervals
The D Iwato scale is a dark and brooding Japanese pentatonic scale. On Banjo 5 String, its notes are D, Eb, G, Ab, C. 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: D, Eb, G, Ab, C
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 4P, 5d, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 b5
Formula: H-4-H-4-W
Number of notes: 5
Tuning: Standard (Open G) (D-B-G-D-G)