G Bebop Locrian Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
G Bebop Locrian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The G Bebop Locrian scale is a modern bebop variation designed for half-diminished chords. On Guitar, the notes are G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, D, Eb, F. It provides a chromatic bridge that helps musicians maintain rhythmic momentum while soloing over highly dissonant and difficult chord changes. Commonly used in Modern Jazz, Post-Bop, Fusion. Notable players include John Coltrane, Woody Shaw, Steve Coleman. Use over m7b5 chords. Maintains bebop rhythmic alignment in the most dissonant harmonic context.
Notes: G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, D, Eb, F
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3m, 4P, 5d, 5P, 6m, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 b3 4 5 6 b7 b8
Formula: H-W-W-H-H-H-W-W
Number of notes: 8
How to Play G Bebop Locrian on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 3 on the 6th (low E) to find your G root note. Because this scale has 8 notes, four-notes-per-string stretches may be necessary. Start with a single position and expand gradually. Keep your thumb centered behind the neck for reach.
The G Bebop Locrian scale contains 4 flats (Ab, Bb, Db, Eb). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Practice the G Bebop Locrian scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 80 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 8 notes of the scale.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on G to let the characteristic intervals of the Bebop Locrian scale come through clearly.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, try playing the G Bebop Locrian scale using legato technique (hammer-ons and pull-offs) to develop a smooth, connected sound. This is particularly effective for longer scale runs.
The G Bebop Locrian scale contains 8 notes (G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, D, Eb, F). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for G Bebop Locrian
The G Bebop Locrian 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 8-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 G Bebop Locrian Further
- Harmonize the G Bebop Locrian scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- G Bebop Locrian on Ukulele
- G Bebop Locrian on Bass
- G Bebop Locrian on Piano
Explore G Bebop Locrian in Other Tunings
- G Bebop Locrian in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- G Bebop Locrian in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- G Bebop Locrian in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- G Bebop Locrian in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- G Bebop Locrian in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- G Bebop Locrian in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- G Bebop Locrian in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- G Bebop Locrian in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- G Bebop Locrian in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- G Bebop Locrian in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- G Bebop Locrian in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- G Bebop Locrian in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- G Bebop Locrian in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- G Bebop Locrian in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)