C# Super Locrian Pentatonic Piano Scale
Piano scale diagramAdvanced
C# Super Locrian Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C# Super Locrian Pentatonic scale is an aggressive and highly dissonant subset of the altered scale. On Piano, it contains the notes C#, E, F, G, B. It is a primary tool for advanced jazz guitarists and horn players to create outside tension over altered dominant chords before resolving back to the tonic. Commonly used in Jazz, Avant-Garde, Fusion. Notable players include John Coltrane, Michael Brecker. Use over 7alt, 7#9b13 chords. The pentatonic shortcut for maximum 'outside' tension over altered dominants.
Notes: C#, E, F, G, B
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4d, 5d, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 b5
Formula: WH-H-W-4-W
Number of notes: 5
Musical Character
The most dissonant pentatonic — a 5-note distillation of the Altered scale. Every note creates tension against a dominant chord.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Jazz, Avant-Garde, Fusion
Notable players: John Coltrane, Michael Brecker
How to Use the C# Super Locrian Pentatonic Scale
Use over 7alt, 7#9b13 chords. The pentatonic shortcut for maximum 'outside' tension over altered dominants.
Origin & Background
Advanced jazz pentatonic extracted from the Super Locrian / Altered scale for efficient improvisation.
How to Play C# Super Locrian Pentatonic on Piano
On piano, the C# Super Locrian Pentatonic scale uses 1 black key. Start with your thumb on C# and use the black keys as landmarks for consistent finger placement. Standard major or minor fingering patterns apply.
The C# Super Locrian Pentatonic scale contains 1 sharp (C#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Practice the C# Super Locrian Pentatonic scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 100 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 5 notes of the scale.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in C#. Try a C#5 - G5 - B5 progression. This scale is especially effective in fusion contexts.
Piano Tips
On piano, practice the C# Super Locrian Pentatonic scale hands together in contrary motion (one hand ascending, the other descending). This builds independence and strengthens your awareness of the scale's symmetry. Aim for a aggressive quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
Super Locrian Pentatonic is the Altered scale pentatonic subset. View C# Altered scale
The C# Super Locrian Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (C#, E, F, G, B). Use the interactive piano diagram above to explore this scale on Piano.