F# Locrian Major Bass Scale
Bass scale — fretboard diagramAdvanced
F# Locrian Major Scale — Notes and Intervals
The F# Locrian Major scale is a 20th-century hybrid that combines the stability of a major third with the dissonance of a Locrian base. On Bass, it contains the notes F#, G#, A#, B, C, D, E. It was used by experimental composers to create a sound that is both familiar and alien. Commonly used in Experimental, Contemporary Classical, Avant-Garde. Notable players include Bela Bartok, Gyorgy Ligeti. Use in experimental composition over polytonal or atonal passages. A tool for creating cognitive dissonance.
Notes: F#, G#, A#, B, C, D, E
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 4P, 5d, 6m, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5 b6 b7
Formula: W-W-H-H-W-W-W
Number of notes: 7
Also known as: arabian
Musical Character
A major 3rd within a Locrian framework — the contradiction creates a sound that is both familiar (major) and alien (b2, b5) simultaneously.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Experimental, Contemporary Classical, Avant-Garde
Notable players: Bela Bartok, Gyorgy Ligeti
How to Use the F# Locrian Major Scale
Use in experimental composition over polytonal or atonal passages. A tool for creating cognitive dissonance.
Origin & Background
A 20th-century synthetic scale used by experimental composers to create sounds that defy tonal expectations.
How to Play F# Locrian Major on Bass
On bass, locate F# on the E string at fret 2. Use a one-finger-per-fret approach starting from the root and span two to three strings. Keep your fretting hand relaxed and practice shifting between positions cleanly.
The F# Locrian Major scale contains 3 sharps (F#, G#, A#). Its relative major is A# major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the F# Locrian Major scale ascending and descending at 100 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (F#-A#, G#-B) 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 F# to let the characteristic intervals of the Locrian Major scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in experimental contexts.
Bass Tips
On bass, use the F# Locrian Major scale to build walking bass lines by targeting chord tones on strong beats and using scale tones as approach notes. This is the foundation of functional bass playing. Aim for a alien quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
The F# Locrian Major scale contains 7 notes (F#, G#, A#, B, C, D, E). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for F# Locrian Major
The F# Locrian Major 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.