Japanese mode

The Japanese mode is a term for a pentatonic musical scale which is used commonly in traditional Japanese music. The intervals of the scale are major second, minor second, major third, minor second, and major third (for example, the notes A, B, C, E, F and up to A) - the formula relative to a natural minor scale in western music theory would be 1 2 b3 5 b6.

It contains the same notes as the In scale and the Hirajōshi scale.

In addition to being used almost exclusively in traditional Japanese compositions, it is found frequently in video game music and the pieces of contemporary composers such as Anne Boyd.