fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON VIOLA

E In Sen

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

MEIMIDIHumdrum
Choose a root
Meter:Octave per barCrotchets in 4/4Quavers in 4/4Triplets in 4/4
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 4 title E In Sen
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 2 3 4 5 title E In Sen
Verovio
Tempo120 bpm

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

FingeringFollows the scale as it plays — written pitch, matches the staff
EC stringADGCoctave nodeoctave nodeoctave nodeoctave nodeABDEFABDEFABDEABDEFADEFABD
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 E In Sen scale?

The E In Sen scale uses the notes E, F, A, B, D (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 E to get the E In Sen scale.

What chords work over E 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 E In Sen on Viola?

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 In Sen scale?

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