Explore scales · Bass
A locrian scale on bass guitar
A locrian contains A, B♭, C, D, E♭, F, and G. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 5 for a compact five-fret shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the A locrian scale on bass?
A locrian in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 3, 8 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 3 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 1 (G) | 2, 3 | A, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A locrian in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 10 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the E string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 5, 6 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A locrian in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 12 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to E♭ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the E string at fret 5 and the D string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 3 (A) | 5, 6, 8 | D, E♭, F |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 7, 8 | C, D, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A locrian in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 9 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to F on the G string at fret 10. No root falls inside this box; it sits between two of them.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
A locrian in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 11 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to G on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 11, 13 | D, E♭, F |
| 3 (A) | 10, 12, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
Why it sounds like that
A locrian is the seventh mode of C major, sharing its key signature of no sharps or flats. Lower the fifth of A phrygian by one semitone to get the diminished fifth. The scale contains a tritone between A and E♭, but no leading tone.
When to use it
A locrian fits A minor 7th flat 5th and A diminished chords. Use it over half-diminished progressions in C major, especially in jazz and metal. The ♭5 creates tension that resolves to B♭ major or C minor.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 4, fret 5, keeping the hand low and the shape compact.
Common questions
What notes are in A locrian?
A locrian contains A, B♭, C, D, E♭, F, and G. The scale degrees are 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, and ♭7. It has no sharps or flats in its key signature.
Which chords does A locrian fit?
A locrian fits A minor 7th flat 5th and A diminished chords. These chords occur as the seventh degree in C major. The scale's ♭5 matches the chord's diminished fifth.
How does A locrian differ from A phrygian?
A locrian differs from A phrygian by one note: the fifth is E♭ instead of E. This creates a diminished fifth instead of a perfect fifth. The rest of the notes are identical.