Guitar Scale Logic
A Locrian Guitar Scale in Drop D
Locrian scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Drop D.
Scale Tablature
Position 1
E|------------------------------------1--3--| B|---------------------------1--3--4--------| G|------------------0--2--3-----------------| D|---------0--1--3--------------------------| A|0--1--3-----------------------------------| D|------------------------------------------|
0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 14 notes
Theory & Context
Why This Shape Works
The A Locrian scale uses A, B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G and the formula 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7. In Drop D tuning, the open strings run E B G D A D from highest to lowest, so use this map rather than a Standard-tuning shape. Use the map to locate each A root, then select a five-fret position to see its tablature. The chord suggestions use notes from this scale.
Locrian sounds unstable, angular and deliberately tense. Try it for outside-sounding riffs, dark soundtrack parts and diminished movement. Drop D lowers the sixth string from E to D. The other five strings stay in Standard tuning, so only the low-string notes move.
Use the b5 carefully and resolve often or the line will sound completely ungrounded. In Drop D, check the sixth-string frets before reusing a Standard-tuning pattern.
- A
- B♭
- C
- D
- E♭
- F
- G
Suggested Chords
Works Well With This Scale
These chords contain notes from the selected scale.
- Am7b5minor 7 flat 5
- B♭sus4sus4
- B♭5power
- Cmminor
- Csus4sus4
- C5power
- Cm7minor 7
- Dmminor
- Dsus4sus4
- D5power