B Locrian #2 Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
B Locrian #2 Scale — Notes and Intervals
The B Locrian #2 scale is a more usable and consonant version of the standard Locrian mode. On Guitar, it contains the notes B, C#, D, E, F, G, A. It is the preferred choice for jazz musicians soloing over half-diminished chords, as its natural second degree allows for much smoother and more melodic voice leading. Commonly used in Jazz, Post-Bop, Contemporary. Notable players include John Coltrane, Woody Shaw, Steve Coleman. Use over m7b5 chords. The preferred jazz choice over half-diminished chords (vs standard Locrian which sounds too harsh).
Notes: B, C#, D, E, F, G, A
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4P, 5d, 6m, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Formula: W-H-W-H-W-W-W
Number of notes: 7
Also known as: half-diminished, aeolian b5
How to Play B Locrian #2 on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 7 on the 6th (low E) to find your B 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 2nd fret on the A string.
The B Locrian #2 scale contains 1 sharp (C#). Its relative major is D major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the B Locrian #2 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 B to let the characteristic intervals of the Locrian #2 scale come through clearly.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the B Locrian #2 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 B Locrian #2 scale contains 7 notes (B, C#, D, E, F, G, A). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for B Locrian #2
The B Locrian #2 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 B Locrian #2 Further
- Harmonize the B Locrian #2 scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- B Locrian #2 on Ukulele
- B Locrian #2 on Bass
- B Locrian #2 on Piano
Explore B Locrian #2 in Other Tunings
- B Locrian #2 in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- B Locrian #2 in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- B Locrian #2 in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- B Locrian #2 in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- B Locrian #2 in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- B Locrian #2 in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- B Locrian #2 in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- B Locrian #2 in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- B Locrian #2 in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- B Locrian #2 in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- B Locrian #2 in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- B Locrian #2 in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- B Locrian #2 in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- B Locrian #2 in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)