D Ichikosucho Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open C tuning — fretboard diagram
D Ichikosucho in Open C — Notes and Intervals
The D Ichikosucho scale is an ancient Japanese court music scale used in Gagaku ceremonies. On Guitar, it contains the notes D, E, F#, G, Ab, A, B, C#. It has a Lydian-like structure and is used to evoke a sense of imperial majesty and historical tradition. Commonly used in Japanese, Classical, Film Scores. Notable players include Takemitsu, Hosokawa. Use over Maj7#11 in Japanese-influenced compositions. Adds cultural authenticity to Eastern-themed scores.
Notes: D, E, F#, G, Ab, A, B, C#
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 4P, 5d, 5P, 6M, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Formula: W-W-H-H-H-W-W-H
Number of notes: 8
Tuning: Open C (C-G-C-G-C-E)
About Open C Tuning
Open C tuning (C-G-C-G-C-E) produces a C major chord when strummed open, with an enormous bass depth from the low C string (two whole steps below standard E). The tuning spans a vast tonal range that gives compositions an almost orchestral scope, making it a favorite for both delicate fingerstyle and crushing heavy music.
John Butler's 'Ocean' — one of the most famous modern fingerstyle compositions — is performed in Open C, showcasing the tuning's incredible dynamic range from thundering bass to shimmering harmonics. Devin Townsend uses Open C extensively across his catalog for its massive, wall-of-sound potential. Jimmy Page used it on Led Zeppelin's 'Friends' from Led Zeppelin III. Soundgarden also explored Open C. The three C strings and two G strings create powerful octave resonances that make even simple chord shapes sound huge.
Notable artists: John Butler, Devin Townsend, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Soundgarden, William Ackerman
Best for: Cinematic fingerstyle compositions, progressive metal walls of sound, post-rock textures, and any music that needs enormous tonal range from deep bass to bright treble
Musical Character
An ancient Japanese court music scale with a Lydian-like structure (#4) that evokes imperial majesty and historical tradition.
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- D Ichikosucho in Standard Tuning
- D Ichikosucho in Drop D
- D Ichikosucho in DADGAD
- D Ichikosucho in Open G
- D Ichikosucho in Baritone (B Standard)
- D Ichikosucho in 7-string
- D Ichikosucho in 8-string
- D Ichikosucho in Drop C
- D Ichikosucho in Drop B
- D Ichikosucho in Open D
- D Ichikosucho in Half Step Down
- D Ichikosucho in Open E
- D Ichikosucho in Open A
- D Ichikosucho in Double Drop D