How to Play the Locrian Scale on Guitar

The Locrian scale is one of the Greek modes that are widely studied in music theory. The Locrian scale is mostly associated with classical and jazz music. The character of the the scale comes from the unusual sound created by the fact that the tonic triad of the scale forms a diminished chord. The Locrian sound is very harsh and dissonant. In this article, you will learn to play the Locrian scale on the guitar.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Guitar

1. Place your forefinger on the seventh fret of the low E string (sixth string) and pluck the string. This is the note B, which is the tonic of the scale.

2. With your middle finger, play the eighth fret of the sixth string and pluck the string.

3. Place your pinky on the tenth fret of the sixth string and pluck the string.

4. Place your forefinger on the seventh fret of the A string (fifth string) and pluck the string.

5. With your middle finger, play the eighth fret of the fifth string and pluck the string.

6. Place your pinky on the tenth fret of the fifth string and pluck the string.

7. Place your forefinger on the seventh fret of the D string (fourth string) and pluck the string.

8. Put your ring finger on the ninth fret of the D string and pluck the string. This is the final note of the scale.

9. Play the scale in reverse. Follow Steps 8 to step 1 backwards in order to complete the scale and return to the original scale degree.

Tips & Warnings

• This scale can be played anywhere on the guitar. In this example, you played a B Locrian scale. However, by beginning the scale on different frets of the sixth string of the guitar you can play the scale beginning on ANY scale degree!