The Simple Theory Of JAPANESE Music Scales [Pentatonics, Guitar]

Summary

This video explores the theory of Japanese scales, focusing on practical application for Western musicians with a nod to Fumio Koizumi's work. It simplifies the concept of tetrachords and introduces four main pentatonic scales derived from specific triads, including the UQ, Myoan, Ritsus, and Me Akabusi scales. The presenter encourages experimentation with these scales for unique musical expressions and suggests a course for deeper understanding of scales and modes.

Takeaways

• 🎼 The video discusses the theory of Japanese scales, focusing on practical application for Western musicians and sacrificing ethnomusicological correctness for clarity.
• 🗣️ The speaker acknowledges potential pronunciation issues due to being an Italian native speaker living in Canada when referring to Japanese terms.
• 📚 The theory of Japanese scales is attributed to Fumio Koizumi, who wrote about it in the 1970s.
• 🔍 Understanding Koizumi's theory requires a basic knowledge of Western music theory, specifically the concept of tetrachords in scales.
• 🎹 Tetrachords are four-note segments within a scale, and traditional scales are constructed by combining two tetrachords around a root, fourth, and fifth.
• 🛑 The speaker simplifies the concept by stating that traditional scales have a root, fourth, and fifth, with the remaining notes being variable.
• 🌐 Japanese scales differ from Western scales in that they are mostly pentatonic, consisting of five notes, and Koizumi created a Japanese version of the tetrachord with only three notes.
• 🎵 Koizumi defined four main scales, which are variations based on the type of triad used in the scale's construction.
• 🎼 The 'Uq' scale is created when the middle note of the triad is a major third above the lowest note, resulting in a specific pentatonic scale.
• 🎶 The 'Meian' scale is similar to the minor pentatonic when the middle note is a minor third above the lowest note.
• 🎵 The 'Ritsus' scale resembles a minor pentatonic but is actually a mode of the D minor pentatonic when the middle note is a whole step above the lowest note.
• 🌟 The 'Me Akabusi' scale, the speaker's favorite, is created when the middle note is a half step above the lowest note, forming a unique pentatonic scale.
• 🔄 The video encourages experimentation by mixing and matching different triads from the main scales to create new and interesting sounds.
• 📘 For a deeper dive into scales and modes, the speaker suggests a course called 'Master of the Modes' which covers scales, modes, and improvisation techniques on the guitar.
• 📢 The speaker invites viewers to like, subscribe, and share the video, and to ask questions in the comments for potential follow-up videos.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script provided?

The video script focuses on discussing the theory of Japanese scales, particularly from a practical perspective for Western musicians, and introduces the concept of Japanese scales as theorized by Fumio Koizumi.

What disclaimers does the speaker make at the beginning of the video?

The speaker makes two disclaimers: first, that they will prioritize practicality over ethnomusicological correctness, and second, that as an Italian native speaker living in Canada, their pronunciation of Japanese names might be inaccurate.

What is the significance of tetrachords in Western music theory?

Tetrachords are significant in Western music theory as they are fragments of a scale and are used to construct traditional scales, with the theory explaining how to build these scales using specific intervals.

What are the two types of tetrachords mentioned in the script?

The two types of tetrachords mentioned are the inferior tetrachord, which is between the first and fourth notes, and the superior tetrachord, which is between the fifth and the root note of the scale.

How does the speaker describe the construction of traditional scales using tetrachords?

The speaker describes the construction of traditional scales as starting from the root and then marking the fourth and the fifth notes. Between these notes, tetrachords are inserted, with any four notes working as a tetrachord, though specific intervals are common in certain scales.

What is the difference between the inferior and superior tetrachords in the context of the natural minor scale?

In the context of the natural minor scale, the inferior tetrachord has intervals of a whole step, a half step, and a whole step, while the superior tetrachord has intervals of a half step, a whole step, and a whole step.

What is the significance of using the same tetrachord twice in different scales?

Using the same tetrachord twice can result in different scales. For example, using the inferior tetrachord of the natural minor scale twice results in the Dorian mode, and using the superior tetrachord twice results in the Phrygian mode.

Why are Japanese scales mostly pentatonic according to the script?

Japanese scales are mostly pentatonic because they are composed of five notes, which is a characteristic feature of many traditional Japanese music scales.

What is the significance of the 'Uq' scale in the context of Japanese scales?

The 'Uq' scale is significant as it is one of the four main scales obtained when the same triad is used twice in the same scale, with the middle note of the triad being a major third above the lowest note.

What is the relationship between the 'Miyako Bushi' scale and the minor pentatonic scale?

The 'Miyako Bushi' scale is essentially the same as the minor pentatonic scale, differing only in the specific notes used, with the example given being C E flat F G B flat C.

What is the 'Ritsus' scale and how does it differ from the minor pentatonic scale?

The 'Ritsus' scale is obtained when the middle note of the triad is a whole step above the lowest note. It sounds similar to a minor pentatonic scale but is not the same; in the example given, it is a mode of the D minor pentatonic, specifically the C minor pentatonic.

What is the 'Me Akabusi' scale and why might it be known as 'Hera Joshi'?

The 'Me Akabusi' scale is obtained when the middle note of the triad is a half step above the lowest note, with the example scale being C D flat F G a flat C. It might be known as 'Hera Joshi' due to the similarity in sound and the potential for confusion in naming between scales and tunings in Japanese music theory.

How can one explore the combinations of different triads from the four main Japanese scales?

One can mix and match triads from different scales to create new combinations. For example, using the inferior triad from the 'Uq' scale and the superior triad from the 'Me Akabusi' scale results in a unique combination of notes.

What resource does the speaker recommend for further study on scales and modes?

The speaker recommends their course 'Master of the Modes' for a more in-depth study on scales and modes, particularly focusing on full diatonic scales, modes, pentatonic scales, and their application in improvisation.