Explore scales · Ukulele
C locrian scale on ukulele
C locrian uses C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭, B♭. Its root sits at fret 5 on the low string, leaving open strings mostly outside the scale.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the C locrian scale on ukulele?
C locrian in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 9 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the C string at fret 0 and the A string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 3 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 2 | F, G♭ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C locrian in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the C string at fret 3 up to E♭ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the G string at fret 5 and the A string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5, 6 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
C locrian in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F on the C string at fret 5 up to F on the A string at fret 8. The root falls on the G string at fret 5 and the E string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 6, 8 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C locrian in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the C string at fret 8 up to A♭ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the E string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 10, 11 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 9, 11 | F, G♭, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
C locrian is the seventh mode of D♭ major, built as 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7. It lowers the fifth of C phrygian, creating a diminished tonic triad. The scale’s half-step opening and tritone against the root produce its unstable colour.
When to use it
Use C locrian over C minor 7th flat 5th or C diminished chords in minor-key turnarounds. It suits tense jazz passages and metal riffs that need a half-step lead-in. Try it over C minor 7th flat 5th or C diminished.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It places the root on strings 4 and 1 and covers frets 0–3 for quick low-position runs.
Common questions
Which notes are in C locrian?
C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭, and B♭. The scale has a half step between C and D♭, and a tritone between C and G♭. It is the seventh mode of D♭ major.
What chords fit C locrian?
C minor 7th flat 5th and C diminished are the primary chords. The scale also works over C♯ major and E♭ minor in passing. Use it where the harmony implies a diminished tonic.
Why does C locrian sound unstable?
The flattened fifth creates a tritone with the root. Combined with the flattened second, the scale lacks a perfect fifth. This makes it hard to resolve and gives a dark, tense quality.