Explore scales · Guitar
C♯ locrian scale on guitar
C♯ locrian contains C♯, D, E, F♯, G, A, and B. Box 1 spans frets 0–3 with roots on string 5 fret 4, string 3 fret 6, and string 2 fret 2.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the C♯ locrian scale on guitar?
C♯ locrian in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 15 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the B string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2 | A, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2, 3 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
C♯ locrian in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 17 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 4 and the B string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3, 5 | C♯, D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
C♯ locrian in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 13 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to B on the high e 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7 | C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7, 8 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7 | A, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
C♯ locrian in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 16 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the low E string at fret 9 and the high e string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8, 10 | F♯, G, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
C♯ locrian in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 17 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the low E string at fret 9, the D string at fret 11 and the high e string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 5 (A) | 9, 10, 12 | F♯, G, A |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12 | A, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ locrian is the seventh mode of D major, built as 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7. Its half-step pattern is H, W, W, H, W, W, W. Lower the fifth of C♯ phrygian to get the ♭5. The tonic chord is C♯ minor 7th flat 5th.
When to use it
C♯ locrian fits C♯ minor 7th flat 5th and C♯ diminished chords. Use it over half-diminished progressions in jazz, metal riffs, and dark ambient lines. Pair with C♯ minor 7th flat 5th or C♯ diminished.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root on string 5 fret 4 and covers frets 0–3, setting up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ locrian?
C♯ locrian contains C♯, D, E, F♯, G, A, and B. The intervals are 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7. Its half-step pattern is H, W, W, H, W, W, W. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What chords does C♯ locrian fit?
C♯ locrian fits C♯ minor 7th flat 5th and C♯ diminished chords. The tonic chord is C♯ minor 7th flat 5th. Use it over half-diminished progressions.
How does C♯ locrian differ from C♯ phrygian?
C♯ locrian lowers the fifth of C♯ phrygian from G♯ to G. This creates the ♭5 interval that defines the locrian sound. The rest of the notes are identical.