fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON VIOLA (TREBLE CLEF)

G Yo

Japanese 5-note country-folk shamisen scale — 1 2 4 5 6. The bright counterpart to In Sen.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
Choose a root
CC♯D♭DD♯E♭EFF♯G♭GG♯A♭AA♯B♭B
Meter:Octave per barCrotchets in 4/4Quavers in 4/4Triplets in 4/4
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 title G Yo
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 2 title G Yo
Verovio
Tempo120 bpm

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

FingeringFollows the scale as it plays — written pitch, matches the staff
GG stringADGCoctave nodeoctave nodeoctave nodeoctave nodeACDEGADEGACDEGACDEGACDEGACD
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 G Yo scale?

The G Yo scale uses the notes G, A, C, D, E (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).

What's the Yo scale formula?

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

What chords work over G Yo?

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 G Yo on Viola (treble clef)?

On bowed strings, scales train both fingering and bow technique. First-position fingerings cover most scales up to one octave; second-, third-, and fourth-position shifts unlock the higher register. The 1-2-3-4 finger pattern adapts to the half-step + whole-step positions per scale.

When would I use the Yo scale?

Japanese 5-note country-folk shamisen scale — 1 2 4 5 6. The bright counterpart to In Sen.