B Prometheus Guitar Scale — Drop B

Guitar scale in Drop B tuning — fretboard diagram

B Prometheus in Drop B — Notes and Intervals

The B Prometheus scale was developed by the composer Alexander Scriabin as his Mystic Scale. On Guitar, the notes are B, C#, D#, F, G#, A. It is a synthetic hexatonic system designed to reflect his theosophical beliefs and reveal spiritual truths that exist beyond human conceptualization. Commonly used in Contemporary Classical, Impressionist, Experimental, Film Scores. Notable players include Alexander Scriabin, George Crumb. Use over the Mystic Chord (C-F#-Bb-E-A-D) and its inversions. Also works over 7#11 chords as a sophisticated alternative to Lydian Dominant.

Notes: B, C#, D#, F, G#, A

Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 4A, 6M, 7m

Degrees: 1 2 3 #4 5 b6

Formula: W-W-W-WH-H-W

Number of notes: 6

Tuning: Drop B (B-F#-B-E-G#-C#)

About Drop B Tuning

Drop B tuning (B-F#-B-E-G#-C#) takes the guitar into territory traditionally reserved for 7-string instruments, delivering a subsonic heaviness that you can feel in your chest. This tuning has become essential in modern extreme metal, deathcore, and djent, where low-end clarity and rhythmic precision are paramount.

Drop B represents the practical limit of what a standard 6-string guitar can handle before tone quality degrades. With the right string gauge (12-60 or heavier) and proper setup, it delivers the crushing lows of a 7-string while keeping the familiar 6-string layout. Bands like Architects, Periphery (on some tracks), and Parkway Drive have used Drop B to create some of the heaviest riffs in modern metal.

DeathcoreDjentProgressive MetalExtreme MetalMetalcore

Notable artists: Architects, Parkway Drive, Whitechapel, Born of Osiris, Emmure

Best for: Extreme metal riffs, deathcore breakdowns, djent chugs, and any style demanding the lowest possible 6-string tuning

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

← All Guitar scales in Drop B tuning