Question

The Japanese have two widely used pentatonic scales. Both scales include five tones; however, their sounds are different due to the different interval structure of each scale. The two pentatonic scales are called the in and yo scales. Which of the following is a type of pentatonic scale?

(A) In scale
(B) Yo scale
(C) Both A and B
(D) Neither A nor B

Answer 1

Both the In scale and Yo scale are types of pentatonic scales used in Japanese music. The In scale often has a melancholic sound, whereas the Yo scale usually sounds brighter and cheerful. Each has distinct interval structures.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the two widely used pentatonic scales in Japanese music, known as the In scale and the Yo scale.

The correct answer is (C) Both A and B, as both the In scale and Yo scale are types of pentatonic scales. The In scale typically gives a more melancholic sound, while the Yo scale has a brighter, more cheerful quality. The interval structures of these scales differentiate them: the In scale has the intervals 1-♭3-4-5-♭7 if we relate it to the Western diatonic scale, while the Yo scale has the intervals 1-2-3-5-6.