B Locrian Pentatonic Guitar Scale — DADGAD
Guitar scale in DADGAD tuning — fretboard diagram
B Locrian Pentatonic in DADGAD — Notes and Intervals
The B Locrian Pentatonic scale is an unstable and mysterious scale used to evoke tension and ambiguity. On Guitar, its notes are B, D, E, F, A. It is often found in experimental music and certain Indian Ragas, providing a dissonant, outside sound that is perfect for dark, avant-garde, or high-tension compositions. Commonly used in Jazz, Fusion, Experimental, Progressive. Notable players include John Scofield, Kurt Rosenwinkel. Use over m7b5 (half-diminished) chords. Essential for jazz solos over ii chords in minor ii-V-i progressions.
Notes: B, D, E, F, A
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5d, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 b5
Formula: WH-W-H-4-W
Number of notes: 5
Tuning: DADGAD (D-A-D-G-A-D)
Also known as: minor seven flat five pentatonic
About DADGAD Tuning
DADGAD tuning creates an open Dsus4 chord when strummed open, producing a hauntingly beautiful, droning sound that has become synonymous with Celtic folk music and modern acoustic songwriting. The tuning's natural resonance and overtones make even simple fingerpicking patterns sound rich and complex.
Popularized by Davey Graham in the 1960s and later championed by Pierre Bensusan and Jimmy Page, DADGAD has become one of the most beloved alternate tunings for acoustic guitarists. Its suspended quality — neither clearly major nor minor — creates an ethereal, meditative atmosphere that invites exploration. The tuning excels at creating drone-based arrangements where open strings ring against fretted notes.
Notable artists: Pierre Bensusan, Jimmy Page, Andy McKee, Davey Graham, Laurence Juber
Best for: Celtic folk, acoustic songwriting, drone-based fingerpicking, and meditative compositions
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- B Locrian Pentatonic in Standard Tuning
- B Locrian Pentatonic in Drop D
- B Locrian Pentatonic in Open G
- B Locrian Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard)
- B Locrian Pentatonic in 7-string
- B Locrian Pentatonic in 8-string
- B Locrian Pentatonic in Drop C
- B Locrian Pentatonic in Drop B
- B Locrian Pentatonic in Open D
- B Locrian Pentatonic in Half Step Down
- B Locrian Pentatonic in Open E
- B Locrian Pentatonic in Open A
- B Locrian Pentatonic in Double Drop D
- B Locrian Pentatonic in Open C