fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON GUITAR

A In Sen

Japanese 5-note urban shamisen scale — 1 ♭2 4 5 ♭7. Modal-jazz workhorse beyond Japan.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
Choose a root
Tempo120 bpm

Playback sounds an octave below the written notation — the instrument's concert (sounding) pitch.

Audio source: tonejs-instruments by Nick Brosowsky (MIT)

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 5 title A In Sen Verovio
Tuning
FretboardTuning: CGCFAD
35791215CGCFADDEGAB♭DGAB♭DEGAB♭DEGAB♭DGAB♭DEGAB♭DEGAB♭DEGAB♭DE
Related scales
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
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Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the A In Sen scale?

The A In Sen scale uses the notes A, B♭, D, E, G (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).

What's the In Sen scale formula?

The In Sen scale follows the interval pattern H 4 W W+H W, where W = whole step (2 semitones) and H = half step (1 semitone). Apply that pattern starting on A to get the A In Sen scale.

What chords work over A In Sen?

Try chord pairings derived from the scale's third, fifth, and seventh degrees as roots — they share the most diatonic notes.

How do I finger A In Sen on Guitar?

On guitar, scales are typically learned as position patterns — three- or four-notes-per-string shapes that move up the neck. The CAGED system positions each scale in five interconnected patterns; the three-notes-per-string approach simplifies modal scales.

When would I use the In Sen scale?

Japanese 5-note urban shamisen scale — 1 ♭2 4 5 ♭7. Modal-jazz workhorse beyond Japan.