Lesson plan
Yo scale
The yo scale is a pentatonic scale used in much Japanese music including gagaku and shōmyō. It is similar to the Western dorian mode, but does not contain all notes. The yo scale is used specifically in folk songs and early popular songs and is contrasted with the in scale. The in scale is described as more 'dark' while the yo scale is described as 'bright' sounding. It is defined by ascending intervals 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. More recent theory 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: In India's Carnatic music, this scale corresponds to Udayaravichandrika.
Article summary
The yo scale is a pentatonic scale used in much Japanese music including gagaku and shōmyō. It is similar to the Western dorian mode, but does not contain all notes. The yo scale is used specifically in folk songs and early popular songs and is contrasted with the in scale. The in scale is described as more 'dark' while the yo scale is described as 'bright' sounding. It is defined by ascending intervals 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. More recent theory 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: In India's Carnatic music, this scale corresponds to Udayaravichandrika.
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.