Hira Joshi

Hira Joshi is a Minor Scale. It is most similar to the Harmonic Minor Scale but differs in that the fourth and the seventh tones are ommitted.

The Hira Joshi scale comes from Japan.

The tonal gaps in this scale create a very strong Eastern sound that is missing from Western tonality.

Hira Joshi displays the by now familiar Japanese emphasis on half step intervals as well as large gaps.

The Hira Joshi scale is also the traditional tuning of the Koto Harp from Japan.

This scale is quite similar to the Kumoi scale varying by the addition of the flat seventh.
This flattened seventh note makes the Hira Joshi Scale open and sad as compared to the mysterious sound of the Kumoi.