Explore scales · Bass
C locrian scale on bass guitar
C locrian contains C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭, and B♭. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 3 for a five-fret shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the C locrian scale on bass?
C locrian in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 11 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 A string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 3, 4 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 4–6
C locrian in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 6, 8 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the E string at fret 4 up to D♭ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 4, 6 | D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6 | G♭, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 6 | C, D♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
C locrian in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 10 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 up to E♭ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the E string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 6, 8, 9 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 8 | D♭, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C locrian in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 12 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to G♭ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the E string at fret 8 and the D string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 9, 11 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10, 11 | E♭, F, G♭ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
C locrian in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 9 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the E string at fret 11 up to A♭ on the G string at fret 13. 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) | 11, 13, 14 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 3 (A) | 11, 13 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 11, 13 | G♭, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
C locrian is the seventh mode of E♭ major, sharing its key signature of three flats. Lower the fifth of C phrygian by one semitone to get the diminished fifth. The scale contains a tritone between C and G♭, but no leading tone.
When to use it
C locrian fits C minor 7th flat 5th and C diminished chords. Use it over half-diminished progressions in E♭ major, especially in jazz and metal. The ♭5 creates tension that resolves to C♯ major or E♭ minor.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 3, fret 3, keeping the hand low and the shape compact.
Common questions
What notes are in C locrian?
C locrian contains C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭, and B♭. The scale degrees are 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, and ♭7. It has three flats in its key signature.
Which chords does C locrian fit?
C locrian fits C minor 7th flat 5th and C diminished chords. These chords occur as the seventh degree in E♭ major. The scale's ♭5 matches the chord's diminished fifth.
How does C locrian differ from C phrygian?
C locrian differs from C phrygian by one note: the fifth is G♭ instead of G. This creates a diminished fifth instead of a perfect fifth. The rest of the notes are identical.