A Kokin Joshi Tres Cubano Scale
Tres Cubano scale — fretboard diagramIntermediate
A Kokin Joshi Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A Kokin Joshi scale is a traditional Japanese koto tuning that blends anhemitonic and hemitonic characteristics, with wide intervals in its lower portion giving way to a tight semitone above. On Tres Cubano, the notes are A, B, D, E, F. This asymmetry shifts mood between open warmth and delicate tension, making it a refined vehicle for the classical Japanese court poetry tradition. Commonly used in Japanese, Traditional, Ambient, Film Scores. Notable players include Michio Miyagi, Tadao Sawai. Use over sus2, minor, and open string drones. The mix of wide and narrow intervals supports both sweeping melodic gestures and intimate ornamental phrases.
Notes: A, B, D, E, F
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 4P, 5P, 6m
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 b5
Formula: W-WH-W-H-4
Number of notes: 5
Musical Character
A pentatonic that blends anhemitonic (no semitones) and hemitonic (with semitones) characteristics: the lower portion uses wide intervals while the upper portion includes a tight semitone. This asymmetry creates a scale that shifts mood between open warmth and delicate tension.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Japanese, Traditional, Ambient, Film Scores
Notable players: Michio Miyagi, Tadao Sawai
How to Use the A Kokin Joshi Scale
Use over sus2, minor, and open string drones. The mix of wide and narrow intervals supports both sweeping melodic gestures and intimate ornamental phrases.
Origin & Background
Named after one of the principal tunings of the Japanese koto. The Kokin Joshi tuning is associated with classical Japanese court poetry set to music, where its balanced character complements the refined aesthetic of waka verse.
How to Play A Kokin Joshi on Tres Cubano
Begin by locating A on your instrument and play through the 5 notes of the Kokin Joshi scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The A Kokin Joshi scale uses no sharps or flats, consisting entirely of natural notes. This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Practice the A Kokin Joshi 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 5 notes of the scale.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in A. Try a A5 - E5 - F5 progression. This scale is especially effective in film scores contexts.
Tres Cubano Tips
Practice the A Kokin Joshi scale slowly and evenly on your instrument, focusing on tone quality for each of the 5 notes before building speed. Aim for a wistful quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
The A Kokin Joshi scale contains 5 notes (A, B, D, E, F). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each shape and pattern on Tres Cubano with different tunings and fret ranges. Practice ascending and descending from the root note to learn the sound of this scale.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for A Kokin Joshi
The A Kokin Joshi 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.