A# Oriental (locrian) Guitar Scale

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 Guitar, 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 Guitar

Place your index finger at fret 6 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 1st fret on the A string.

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

Practice the A# Oriental (locrian) scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 100 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 7 notes of the scale.

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 experimental contexts.

Guitar Tips

On guitar, try playing the A# Oriental (locrian) scale using legato technique (hammer-ons and pull-offs) to develop a smooth, connected sound. This is particularly effective for longer scale runs. Aim for a mysterious quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.

Related Scales

• A# Locrian
• A# Oriental
• A# Persian
• A# Phrygian dominant

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 Guitar 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

• Harmonize the A# Oriental (locrian) scale — triads & 7th chords
• Browse chord progressions
• A# Oriental (locrian) on Ukulele
• A# Oriental (locrian) on Bass
• A# Oriental (locrian) on Piano

Explore A# Oriental (locrian) in Other Tunings

• A# Oriental (locrian) in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
• A# Oriental (locrian) in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
• A# Oriental (locrian) in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
• A# Oriental (locrian) in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
• A# Oriental (locrian) in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
• A# Oriental (locrian) in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
• A# Oriental (locrian) in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
• A# Oriental (locrian) in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
• A# Oriental (locrian) in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
• A# Oriental (locrian) in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
• A# Oriental (locrian) in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
• A# Oriental (locrian) in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
• A# Oriental (locrian) in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
• A# Oriental (locrian) in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)

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