Guitar Scale Logic
C Locrian Guitar Scale in Drop C
Locrian scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Drop C.
Scale Tablature
Position 1
D|---------------------------------------| A|---------------------------------1--3--| F|------------------------0--1--3--------| C|---------------0--1--3-----------------| G|---------1--3--------------------------| C|0--1--3--------------------------------|
0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 13 notes
Theory & Context
Why This Shape Works
The C Locrian scale uses C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭, B♭ and the formula 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7. In Drop C tuning, the open strings run D A F C G C from highest to lowest, so use this map rather than a Standard-tuning shape. Use the map to locate each C 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 C is C-G-C-F-A-D from low to high. Compared with Standard, the top five strings are a whole tone lower and the sixth string is two whole tones lower.
Use the b5 carefully and resolve often or the line will sound completely ungrounded. In Drop C, learn the sixth-string notes separately before connecting them to the upper strings.
- C
- D♭
- E♭
- F
- G♭
- A♭
- B♭
Suggested Chords
Works Well With This Scale
These chords contain notes from the selected scale.
- Cm7b5minor 7 flat 5
- D♭sus4sus4
- D♭5power
- E♭mminor
- E♭sus4sus4
- E♭5power
- E♭m7minor 7
- Fmminor
- Fsus4sus4
- F5power