A Locrian 6 Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
A Locrian 6 Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A Locrian 6 scale is a rare and dissonant mode that adds a major sixth sparkle to a dark Locrian base. On Guitar, its notes are A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F#, G. It provides a unique modal variation for experimental compositions and is used to create a sense of distorted major tonality. Commonly used in Experimental, Jazz, Avant-Garde. Notable players include Allan Holdsworth, Steve Coleman. Use over diminished and half-diminished chords in experimental contexts. A modal exploration tool rather than a standard jazz choice.
Notes: A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F#, 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
Also known as: locrian natural 6, locrian sharp 6
How to Play A Locrian 6 on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 5 on the 6th (low E) to find your A root note. Use a three-notes-per-string fingering to cover the full scale in one position, or learn the CAGED shapes to navigate the entire fretboard. An alternative starting point is open position using open A string.
The A Locrian 6 scale contains both sharps and flats (1 sharp, 2 flats), which is common in altered and exotic scales. Its relative major is C major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the A Locrian 6 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.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on A to let the characteristic intervals of the Locrian 6 scale come through clearly.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the A Locrian 6 scale on a single string from the open position to the 12th fret. This trains your ear to hear the intervals linearly and helps with slide guitar applications.
The A Locrian 6 scale contains 7 notes (A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F#, G). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for A Locrian 6
The A Locrian 6 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 Locrian 6 Further
- Harmonize the A Locrian 6 scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- A Locrian 6 on Ukulele
- A Locrian 6 on Bass
- A Locrian 6 on Piano
Explore A Locrian 6 in Other Tunings
- A Locrian 6 in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- A Locrian 6 in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- A Locrian 6 in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- A Locrian 6 in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- A Locrian 6 in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- A Locrian 6 in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- A Locrian 6 in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- A Locrian 6 in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- A Locrian 6 in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- A Locrian 6 in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- A Locrian 6 in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- A Locrian 6 in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- A Locrian 6 in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- A Locrian 6 in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)