C# Locrian #2 Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
C# Locrian #2 Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C# Locrian #2 scale is a more usable and consonant version of the standard Locrian mode. On Guitar, it contains the notes C#, D#, E, F#, G, A, B. 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: C#, D#, E, F#, G, A, B
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 C# Locrian #2 on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 9 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 4th fret on the A string.
The C# Locrian #2 scale contains 3 sharps (C#, D#, F#). Its relative major is E major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the C# Locrian #2 scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (C#-E, D#-F#) 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 C# to let the characteristic intervals of the Locrian #2 scale come through clearly.
Guitar Tips
Use hybrid picking (pick + fingers) when playing the C# Locrian #2 scale on guitar to access wider intervals and string skips that a pick alone cannot handle efficiently.
The C# Locrian #2 scale contains 7 notes (C#, D#, E, F#, G, A, B). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for C# Locrian #2
The C# 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 C# Locrian #2 Further
- Harmonize the C# Locrian #2 scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- C# Locrian #2 on Ukulele
- C# Locrian #2 on Bass
- C# Locrian #2 on Piano
Explore C# Locrian #2 in Other Tunings
- C# Locrian #2 in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- C# Locrian #2 in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- C# Locrian #2 in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- C# Locrian #2 in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- C# Locrian #2 in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- C# Locrian #2 in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- C# Locrian #2 in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- C# Locrian #2 in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- C# Locrian #2 in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- C# Locrian #2 in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- C# Locrian #2 in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- C# Locrian #2 in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- C# Locrian #2 in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- C# Locrian #2 in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)