A# Oriental (locrian) Banjo (5-String) Scale
Banjo (5-String) scale — fretboard diagramAdvanced
A# Oriental (locrian) Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A# Oriental (locrian) scale introduces a raised sixth into the Locrian mode, creating an augmented second in the upper half that injects Middle Eastern color into the darkest of Western modes. On Banjo (5-String), its notes are A#, B, C#, D#, E, G, G#. It produces a brief flash of exotic brightness within an otherwise bleak tonal landscape, ideal for dramatic metal riffs and tension-laden film scoring. Commonly used in Middle Eastern, Film Scores, Metal, Experimental. Notable players include Buckethead, Marty Friedman. Use over diminished and half-diminished chords in exotic contexts. The raised 6th provides a brief moment of brightness within the otherwise bleak Locrian landscape. Best over pedal tones and drones.
Notes: A#, B, C#, D#, E, G, G#
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3m, 4P, 5d, 6M, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 b3 4 5 6 b7
Formula: H-W-W-H-WH-H-W
Number of notes: 7
Musical Character
A Locrian mode with a raised 6th degree. The augmented 2nd between the 5th and raised 6th in the upper half produces a Middle Eastern character while the Locrian foundation (b2, b3, b5) maintains extreme darkness.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Middle Eastern, Film Scores, Metal, Experimental
Notable players: Buckethead, Marty Friedman
How to Use the A# Oriental (locrian) Scale
Use over diminished and half-diminished chords in exotic contexts. The raised 6th provides a brief moment of brightness within the otherwise bleak Locrian landscape. Best over pedal tones and drones.
Origin & Background
A Locrian variant that introduces a raised 6th degree, creating the augmented 2nd interval in the upper tetrachord that is the hallmark of Middle Eastern modal systems. The combination of Locrian instability with Eastern exoticism produces a scale suited to dramatic, narrative-driven music.
How to Play A# Oriental (locrian) on Banjo (5-String)
Begin by locating A# on your instrument and play through the 7 notes of the Oriental (locrian) scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The A# Oriental (locrian) scale contains 4 sharps (A#, C#, D#, G#). Its relative major is C# major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Begin by playing the A# Oriental (locrian) scale ascending and descending at 100 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (A#-C#, B-D#) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on A# to let the characteristic intervals of the Oriental (locrian) scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in film scores contexts.
Banjo (5-String) Tips
Practice the A# Oriental (locrian) scale slowly and evenly on your instrument, focusing on tone quality for each of the 7 notes before building speed. Aim for a mysterious quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
The A# Oriental (locrian) scale contains 7 notes (A#, B, C#, D#, E, G, G#). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each shape and pattern on Banjo (5-String) with different tunings and fret ranges. Practice ascending and descending from the root note to learn the sound of this scale.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for A# Oriental (locrian)
The A# Oriental (locrian) scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 7-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore A# Oriental (locrian) Further
- Browse chord progressions
- A# Oriental (locrian) on Guitar
- A# Oriental (locrian) on Ukulele
- A# Oriental (locrian) on Bass
- A# Oriental (locrian) on Piano