A# Locrian Pentatonic Bass Scale
Bass scale — fretboard diagram
A# Locrian Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A# Locrian Pentatonic scale is an unstable and mysterious scale used to evoke tension and ambiguity. On Bass, its notes are A#, C#, D#, E, G#. It is often found in experimental music and certain Indian Ragas, providing a dissonant, outside sound that is perfect for dark, avant-garde, or high-tension compositions. Commonly used in Jazz, Fusion, Experimental, Progressive. Notable players include John Scofield, Kurt Rosenwinkel. Use over m7b5 (half-diminished) chords. Essential for jazz solos over ii chords in minor ii-V-i progressions.
Notes: A#, C#, D#, E, G#
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5d, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 b5
Formula: WH-W-H-4-W
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: minor seven flat five pentatonic
How to Play A# Locrian Pentatonic on Bass
On bass, locate A# on the A string at fret 1. This 5-note scale can be played across two strings without shifting, making it ideal for groove-based lines.
The A# Locrian Pentatonic scale contains 4 sharps (A#, C#, D#, G#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the A# Locrian Pentatonic scale in groups of four notes, shifting the starting note each repetition. This builds muscle memory across the entire scale range. After a week, try improvising short 4-bar phrases using only these notes.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in A#. Try a A#5 - E5 - G#5 progression.
Bass Tips
Practice the A# Locrian Pentatonic scale on bass using only your index and ring fingers for a two-finger-per-string approach, then switch to one-finger-per-fret. Both techniques are essential for different musical situations.
The A# Locrian Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (A#, C#, D#, E, G#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for A# Locrian Pentatonic
The A# Locrian Pentatonic 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 5-note pentatonic scale, 2-notes-per-string patterns are the most ergonomic way to traverse the fretboard. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.