C Locrian 6 Guitar Scale

Guitar scale — fretboard diagramAdvanced

C locrian 6 scale — 6-string guitar fretboard diagramInteractive fretboard diagram showing the C locrian 6 scale on 6-string guitar with 22 frets. Notes: F, Gb, A, Bb, C, Db, Eb.FGbABbCDbEbFGbABbCDbCDbEbFGbABbCDbEbFGbAABbCDbEbFGbABbCDbEbFEbFGbABbCDbEbFGbABbCABbCDbEbFGbABbCDbEbFGbFGbABbCDbEbFGbABbCDb1357911121315171921

What chords fit over C Locrian 6?

Open C Locrian 6 Harmonizer

C Locrian 6 Scale — Notes and Intervals

The C 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 C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, A, Bb. 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: C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, A, Bb

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

Musical Character

DistortedUnstableBright-DarkStrange

Adds a major 6th sparkle to the otherwise dark Locrian mode — a contradiction that creates a uniquely unsettled, 'glitchy' quality.

Genres & Notable Artists

Genres: Experimental, Jazz, Avant-Garde

Notable players: Allan Holdsworth, Steve Coleman

How to Use the C Locrian 6 Scale

Use over diminished and half-diminished chords in experimental contexts. A modal exploration tool rather than a standard jazz choice.

Origin & Background

The second mode of the harmonic minor scale. Used in experimental composition.

How to Play C Locrian 6 on Guitar

Place your index finger at fret 8 on the 6th (low E) to find your C 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.

The C Locrian 6 scale contains 4 flats (Db, Eb, Gb, Bb). Its relative major is Eb major, which shares the same key signature.

Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing

Set a metronome to 100 BPM and play the C 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 C to let the characteristic intervals of the Locrian 6 scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in jazz contexts.

Guitar Tips

On guitar, practice the C 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. Aim for a distorted quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.

Related Scales

Locrian 6 is the 2nd mode of the Harmonic Minor scale. View C Harmonic minor scale

The C Locrian 6 scale contains 7 notes (C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, A, Bb). 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 C Locrian 6

The C 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 C Locrian 6 Further

Explore C Locrian 6 in Other Tunings

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