F Ichikosucho Guitar Scale — Open D
Guitar scale in Open D tuning — fretboard diagram
F Ichikosucho in Open D — Notes and Intervals
The F Ichikosucho scale is an ancient Japanese court music scale used in Gagaku ceremonies. On Guitar, it contains the notes F, G, A, Bb, B, C, D, E. 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: F, G, A, Bb, B, C, D, E
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
Tuning: Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D)
About Open D Tuning
Open D tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D) produces a full D major chord when strummed open, creating a warm, resonant sound that has been a staple of slide guitar, folk, and acoustic music for over a century. The three D strings create a deep, droning foundation that makes even simple chord shapes sound lush and full.
Open D is closely related to Open E (same intervals, just a whole step lower) but puts less tension on the guitar neck, making it safer for acoustic instruments. It was a favorite of Joni Mitchell, who used it extensively for her unique chord voicings, and Bob Dylan, who popularized it in folk-rock. For slide players, Open D provides the same intuitive major-chord-at-any-fret approach as Open G but with a warmer, deeper character.
Notable artists: Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Richie Havens, Bruce Cockburn, Elmore James
Best for: Slide guitar, folk fingerpicking, singer-songwriter arrangements, and acoustic compositions with rich open-string resonance
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- F Ichikosucho in Standard Tuning
- F Ichikosucho in Drop D
- F Ichikosucho in DADGAD
- F Ichikosucho in Open G
- F Ichikosucho in Baritone (B Standard)
- F Ichikosucho in 7-string
- F Ichikosucho in 8-string
- F Ichikosucho in Drop C
- F Ichikosucho in Drop B
- F Ichikosucho in Half Step Down
- F Ichikosucho in Open E
- F Ichikosucho in Open A
- F Ichikosucho in Double Drop D
- F Ichikosucho in Open C