Explore scales · Bass
F♯ locrian scale on bass guitar
F♯ locrian contains F♯, G, A, B, C, D, and E. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 2 for a five-fret shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the F♯ locrian scale on bass?
F♯ locrian in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A on the G string at fret 2. The root falls on the E string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 1 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
F♯ locrian in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 12 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the E string at fret 2 and the D 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, 3, 5 | B, C, D |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4, 5 | A, B, C |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
F♯ locrian in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 9 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to D on the G string at fret 7. 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) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
| 3 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 1 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
F♯ locrian in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 11 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 A string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
| 3 (A) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 1 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
Box 5 · frets 10–12
F♯ locrian in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 12, 8 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 G string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 3 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 1 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ locrian is the seventh mode of A major, sharing its key signature of three sharps. Lower the fifth of F♯ phrygian by one semitone to get the diminished fifth. The scale contains a tritone between F♯ and C, but no leading tone.
When to use it
F♯ locrian fits F♯ minor 7th flat 5th and F♯ diminished chords. Use it over half-diminished progressions in A major, especially in jazz and metal. The ♭5 creates tension that resolves to G major or A minor.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 4, fret 2, keeping the hand low and the shape compact.
Common questions
What notes are in F♯ locrian?
F♯ locrian contains F♯, G, A, B, C, D, and E. The scale degrees are 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, and ♭7. It has three sharps in its key signature. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does F♯ locrian fit?
F♯ locrian fits F♯ minor 7th flat 5th and F♯ diminished chords. These chords occur as the seventh degree in A major. The scale's ♭5 matches the chord's diminished fifth.
How does F♯ locrian differ from F♯ phrygian?
F♯ locrian differs from F♯ phrygian by one note: the fifth is C instead of C♯. This creates a diminished fifth instead of a perfect fifth. The rest of the notes are identical.