Guitar Scale Logic

Interactive Guitar Scale Finder

Guitar Scale Logic

D# Locrian Guitar Scale in Drop D

Locrian scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Drop D.

Formula 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7
Tuning E B G D A D
Scale Notes 7 notes

Interactive fretboard

Scale Map

Root notes are highlighted in amber. Use the buttons to isolate each five-fret position.

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♯
D
D♯
E
F♯
G♯
A
B
C♯
D♯
E
F♯
G♯
A
B
Root Note Scale Note

Scale Tablature

Position 1

E|------------------------------------------|
B|------------------------------------2--4--|
G|---------------------------1--2--4--------|
D|------------------1--2--4-----------------|
A|---------0--2--4--------------------------|
D|1--2--4-----------------------------------|

0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 14 notes

Theory & Context

Why This Shape Works

The D# Locrian scale uses D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯ 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 D# root, then select a five-fret position to see its tablature. The chord suggestions use notes from this scale.

Overview

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.

Practice Tip

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.

  • D♯
  • E
  • F♯
  • G♯
  • A
  • B
  • C♯

Suggested Chords

Works Well With This Scale

These chords contain notes from the selected scale.

  • D♯m7b5minor 7 flat 5
  • Esus4sus4
  • E5power
  • F♯mminor
  • F♯sus4sus4
  • F♯5power
  • F♯m7minor 7
  • G♯mminor
  • G♯sus4sus4
  • G♯5power