D# Locrian Scale for Guitar
Key of D# • Locrian Scale
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Guitar fretboard showing D# locrian scale. Notes: D#, E, F#, G#, A, B, C#. Position: full.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
e
E
F#
G#
A
B
C#
D#
E
F#
G#
A
B
C#
B
B
C#
D#
E
F#
G#
A
B
C#
D#
E
F#
G#
A
G
G#
A
B
C#
D#
E
F#
G#
A
B
C#
D#
E
D
D#
E
F#
G#
A
B
C#
D#
E
F#
G#
A
B
A
A
B
C#
D#
E
F#
G#
A
B
C#
D#
E
F#
E
E
F#
G#
A
B
C#
D#
E
F#
G#
A
B
C#
Tab Notation
e|----- 0---- 2---- 4---- 5---- 7---- 9----11----12----14----16----17----19----21-----|
B|----- 0---- 2---- 4---- 5---- 7---- 9----10----12----14----16----17----19----21----22-----|
G|----- 1---- 2---- 4---- 6---- 8---- 9----11----13----14----16----18----20----21-----|
D|----- 1---- 2---- 4---- 6---- 7---- 9----11----13----14----16----18----19----21-----|
A|----- 0---- 2---- 4---- 6---- 7---- 9----11----12----14----16----18----19----21-----|
E|----- 0---- 2---- 4---- 5---- 7---- 9----11----12----14----16----17----19----21-----|
Notes: D# - E - F# - G# - A - B - C#
Formula
1♭2♭34♭5♭6♭7
Intervals
R - m2 - m3 - P4 - TT - m6 - m7
About the Locrian Scale
The Locrian mode is the most unstable and dissonant of the modes, featuring both a ♭2 and ♭5. The diminished 5th creates an unresolved, tense quality that feels incomplete and searching for resolution.
Usage
Rarely used as a primary scale due to its instability. Occasionally employed in jazz for half-diminished chords, experimental metal, and avant-garde music. More of a theoretical curiosity than a practical scale for most players.
History
Named after the ancient Greek region of Locris, this mode was considered the most unstable in medieval music theory. It's the only mode with a diminished fifth above the root, making it theoretically interesting but practically challenging.