A Super Locrian Pentatonic Bass Scale
Bass scale — fretboard diagram
A Super Locrian Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A Super Locrian Pentatonic scale is an aggressive and highly dissonant subset of the altered scale. On Bass, it contains the notes A, C, Db, Eb, G. It is a primary tool for advanced jazz guitarists and horn players to create outside tension over altered dominant chords before resolving back to the tonic. Commonly used in Jazz, Avant-Garde, Fusion. Notable players include John Coltrane, Michael Brecker. Use over 7alt, 7#9b13 chords. The pentatonic shortcut for maximum 'outside' tension over altered dominants.
Notes: A, C, Db, Eb, G
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4d, 5d, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 b5
Formula: WH-H-W-4-W
Number of notes: 5
How to Play A Super Locrian Pentatonic on Bass
On bass, locate A on the E string at fret 5. This 5-note scale can be played across two strings without shifting, making it ideal for groove-based lines.
The A Super Locrian Pentatonic scale contains 2 flats (Db, Eb). 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 Super 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 A5 - Eb5 - G5 progression.
Bass Tips
Practice the A Super 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 Super Locrian Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (A, C, Db, Eb, G). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for A Super Locrian Pentatonic
The A Super 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.