G Locrian Major Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
G Locrian Major Scale — Notes and Intervals
The G Locrian Major scale is a 20th-century hybrid that combines the stability of a major third with the dissonance of a Locrian base. On Guitar, it contains the notes G, A, B, C, Db, Eb, F. It was used by experimental composers to create a sound that is both familiar and alien. Commonly used in Experimental, Contemporary Classical, Avant-Garde. Notable players include Bela Bartok, Gyorgy Ligeti. Use in experimental composition over polytonal or atonal passages. A tool for creating cognitive dissonance.
Notes: G, A, B, C, Db, Eb, F
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 4P, 5d, 6m, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5 b6 b7
Formula: W-W-H-H-W-W-W
Number of notes: 7
Also known as: arabian
How to Play G Locrian Major on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 3 on the 6th (low E) to find your G 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 using open G string.
The G Locrian Major scale contains 2 flats (Db, Eb). Its relative major is B major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the G Locrian Major scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (G-B, A-C) 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 G to let the characteristic intervals of the Locrian Major scale come through clearly.
Guitar Tips
Use hybrid picking (pick + fingers) when playing the G Locrian Major scale on guitar to access wider intervals and string skips that a pick alone cannot handle efficiently.
The G Locrian Major scale contains 7 notes (G, A, B, C, Db, Eb, F). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for G Locrian Major
The G Locrian Major 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 G Locrian Major Further
- Harmonize the G Locrian Major scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- G Locrian Major on Ukulele
- G Locrian Major on Bass
- G Locrian Major on Piano
Explore G Locrian Major in Other Tunings
- G Locrian Major in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- G Locrian Major in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- G Locrian Major in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- G Locrian Major in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- G Locrian Major in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- G Locrian Major in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- G Locrian Major in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- G Locrian Major in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- G Locrian Major in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- G Locrian Major in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- G Locrian Major in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- G Locrian Major in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- G Locrian Major in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- G Locrian Major in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)