C Ultralocrian Mandolin Scale

Mandolin scale — fretboard diagram

C ultralocrian scale — 4-string guitar fretboard diagramInteractive fretboard diagram showing the C ultralocrian scale on 4-string guitar with 20 frets. Notes: E, Gb, Ab, A, C, Db, Eb.EGbAbACDbEbEGbAbACACDbEbEGbAbACDbEbEEbEGbAbACDbEbEGbAbAAbACDbEbEGbAbACDbEb13579111213151719

C Ultralocrian Scale — Notes and Intervals

The C Ultralocrian scale is an extremely dark and condensed scale used to create intense chromatic tension. On Mandolin, its notes are C, Db, Eb, E, Gb, Ab, A. 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: C, Db, Eb, E, Gb, Ab, A

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 C Ultralocrian on Mandolin

Begin by locating C on your instrument and play through the 7 notes of the Ultralocrian scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.

The C Ultralocrian scale contains 4 flats (Db, Eb, Gb, Ab). Its relative major is Eb major, which shares the same key signature.

Practice Routine

Practice the C Ultralocrian 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 7 notes of the scale.

Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on C to let the characteristic intervals of the Ultralocrian scale come through clearly.

Mandolin Tips

Practice the C Ultralocrian scale slowly and evenly on your instrument, focusing on tone quality for each of the 7 notes before building speed.

The C Ultralocrian scale contains 7 notes (C, Db, Eb, E, Gb, Ab, A). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Mandolin with different tunings and fret ranges.

CAGED Positions & Patterns for C Ultralocrian

The C 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 C Ultralocrian Further

Explore C Ultralocrian in Other Tunings

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