G# Ultralocrian Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
G# Ultralocrian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The G# Ultralocrian scale is an extremely dark and condensed scale used to create intense chromatic tension. On Guitar, its notes are G#, A, B, C, D, E, F. It is used in avant-garde jazz and dark ambient music to explore the most dissonant boundaries of minor-key tonality. Commonly used in Avant-Garde, Dark Ambient, Experimental Jazz. Notable players include John Zorn, Derek Bailey. Use over dim7 chords in avant-garde contexts. More of a compositional tool than an improvisational one.
Notes: G#, A, B, C, D, E, F
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3m, 4d, 5d, 6m, 7d
Degrees: 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 7
Formula: H-W-H-W-W-H-WH
Number of notes: 7
Also known as: superlocrian bb7, superlocrian diminished
How to Play G# Ultralocrian on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 4 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 11th fret on the A string.
The G# Ultralocrian scale contains 1 sharp (G#). Its relative major is B major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the G# Ultralocrian 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 G# to let the characteristic intervals of the Ultralocrian scale come through clearly.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the G# Ultralocrian 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.
The G# Ultralocrian scale contains 7 notes (G#, A, B, C, D, E, F). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for G# Ultralocrian
The G# Ultralocrian 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# Ultralocrian Further
- Harmonize the G# Ultralocrian scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- G# Ultralocrian on Ukulele
- G# Ultralocrian on Bass
- G# Ultralocrian on Piano
Explore G# Ultralocrian in Other Tunings
- G# Ultralocrian in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- G# Ultralocrian in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- G# Ultralocrian in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- G# Ultralocrian in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- G# Ultralocrian in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- G# Ultralocrian in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- G# Ultralocrian in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- G# Ultralocrian in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- G# Ultralocrian in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- G# Ultralocrian in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- G# Ultralocrian in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- G# Ultralocrian in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- G# Ultralocrian in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- G# Ultralocrian in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)