E Locrian Minor Guitar Scale

E Locrian Minor Scale — Notes and Intervals

The E 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 E, F#, G, A, Bb, C, 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: E, F#, G, A, Bb, C, 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 E 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 E Locrian Minor on Guitar

Start the E Locrian Minor scale in open position, taking advantage of the open E string. 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 E Locrian Minor scale contains both sharps and flats (2 sharps, 1 flat), which is common in altered and exotic scales. Its relative major is G major, which shares the same key signature.

Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing

Begin by playing the E Locrian Minor scale ascending and descending at 100 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (E-G, F#-A) 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 E to let the characteristic intervals of the Locrian Minor scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in jazz contexts.

Guitar Tips

Use hybrid picking (pick + fingers) when playing the E Locrian Minor scale on guitar to access wider intervals and string skips that a pick alone cannot handle efficiently. Aim for a dark quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.

Related Scales

• E Locrian
• E Harmonic minor
• E Ultralocrian
• E Locrian #2

The E Locrian Minor scale contains 7 notes (E, F#, G, A, Bb, C, 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 E Locrian Minor

The E 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 E Locrian Minor Further

• Harmonize the E Locrian Minor scale — triads & 7th chords
• Browse chord progressions
• E Locrian Minor on Ukulele
• E Locrian Minor on Bass
• E Locrian Minor on Piano

Explore E Locrian Minor in Other Tunings

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

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