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 4 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 0 to fret 3, 9 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A on the G string at fret 2. 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) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (A) | 0, 2 | A, B |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 1 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
C♯ locrian in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 11 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to B on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 3 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
Box 3 · frets 5–7
C♯ locrian in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 7, 8 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 3 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 1 (G) | 6, 7 | C♯, D |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
C♯ locrian in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 10 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to E on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the E string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (A) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 1 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
C♯ locrian in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 12 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the E string at fret 9 up to G on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the E string at fret 9 and the D string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 3 (A) | 9, 10, 12 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ locrian is the seventh mode of E major, sharing its key signature of four sharps. 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 D major or E minor.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 3, fret 4, 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 four sharps in its key signature. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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.