D# Locrian Minor Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagramAdvanced
What chords fit over D# Locrian Minor?
Open D# Locrian Minor HarmonizerD# Locrian Minor Scale — Notes and Intervals
The D# Locrian Minor scale infuses the bleak Locrian framework with the dramatic augmented second of harmonic minor, producing a leading tone that drives powerful cadential resolution. On Guitar, the notes are D#, F, F#, G#, A, B, D. It bridges the gap between classical minor-key drama and Locrian instability, serving neo-classical metal and dark film scoring with equal intensity. Commonly used in Jazz, Neo-Classical, Metal, Film Scores. Notable players include Dream Theater, Yngwie Malmsteen. Use over dim7 and m7b5 chords where a stronger cadential pull is needed. The natural 7th acts as a leading tone, allowing V-i type resolutions from within a Locrian framework.
Notes: D#, F, F#, G#, A, B, D
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4P, 5d, 6m, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7
Formula: W-H-W-H-W-WH-H
Number of notes: 7
Musical Character
A Locrian variant with harmonic minor influence: the augmented 2nd between the b6 and natural 7 adds a classical, dramatic flair to the otherwise bleak Locrian landscape. The leading tone creates stronger resolution than standard Locrian.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Jazz, Neo-Classical, Metal, Film Scores
Notable players: Dream Theater, Yngwie Malmsteen
How to Use the D# Locrian Minor Scale
Use over dim7 and m7b5 chords where a stronger cadential pull is needed. The natural 7th acts as a leading tone, allowing V-i type resolutions from within a Locrian framework.
Origin & Background
A synthetic mode that grafts the harmonic minor's leading tone onto the Locrian framework. The result preserves the diminished 5th instability of Locrian while adding the dramatic augmented 2nd interval that defines the harmonic minor family.
How to Play D# Locrian Minor on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 11 on the 6th (low E) to find your D# 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 6th fret on the A string.
The D# Locrian Minor scale contains 3 sharps (D#, F#, G#). Its relative major is F# major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Set a metronome to 100 BPM and play the D# Locrian Minor 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 D# to let the characteristic intervals of the Locrian Minor scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in metal contexts.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the D# Locrian Minor 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 dark quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
The D# Locrian Minor scale contains 7 notes (D#, F, F#, G#, A, B, D). 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 D# Locrian Minor
The D# Locrian Minor 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 D# Locrian Minor Further
- Harmonize the D# Locrian Minor scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- D# Locrian Minor on Ukulele
- D# Locrian Minor on Bass
- D# Locrian Minor on Piano
Explore D# Locrian Minor in Other Tunings
- D# Locrian Minor in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- D# Locrian Minor in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- D# Locrian Minor in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- D# Locrian Minor in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- D# Locrian Minor in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- D# Locrian Minor in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- D# Locrian Minor in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- D# Locrian Minor in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- D# Locrian Minor in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- D# Locrian Minor in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- D# Locrian Minor in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- D# Locrian Minor in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- D# Locrian Minor in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- D# Locrian Minor in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)