Yo scale

The yo scale, which is like the Mixolydian but does not contain minor notes, according to a traditional theory is a pentatonic scale used in much Japanese music including^[1] gagaku and shomyo. The yo scale is used specifically in folk songs and early popular songs and is contrasted with the in scale which does contain minor notes.^[2] The in scale is described as 'dark' while the yo scale is described as 'bright' sounding.^[3]

It is defined by ascending intervals^{[clarification needed]} of two, three, two, two, and three semitones. An example yo scale, expressed in western pitch names, is: D - E - G - A - B. This is illustrated below.

The Ryūkyū scale appears to be derived from the yo scale with pitches raised.^[4]

More recent theory^[5] emphasizes that it is more useful in interpreting Japanese melody to view scales on the basis of "nuclear tones" located a fourth apart and containing notes between them, as in the min'yō scale used in folk music, and whose pitches are equivalent to the second mode of the yo scale:^[6]

In India's Carnatic music, this scale corresponds to Udayaravichandrika.

Sources

^ Japanese Music, Cross-Cultural Communication: World Music, University of Wisconsin – Green Bay.
^ Titon, Jeff Todd (1996). Worlds of Music: An Introduction to the Music of the World's Peoples, p.372. ISBN 0-02-872612-X.
^ ^a ^b Chris Hiscock, Marian Metcalfe (1999). New Music Matters 11-14, p.49. ISBN 978-0-435-81091-7.
^ ^a ^b Minoru Miki, Marty Regan, Philip Flavin (2008). Composing for Japanese instruments, p.2. ISBN 978-1-58046-273-0.
^ Koizumi, Fumio (小泉文夫, Koizumi Fumio) (1974). Nihon no Ongaku: Rekishi to Riron (日本の音楽：歴史と理論) (Japanese Music: History and Theory), 76. Tokyo: National Theater of Japan.
^ Titon (1996), 373.
^ Susan Miyo Asai (1999). Nōmai Dance Drama, p.126. ISBN 978-0-313-30698-3.

Sources

Further reading