B Ultralocrian Guitar Scale — Open D
Guitar scale in Open D tuning — fretboard diagram
B Ultralocrian in Open D — Notes and Intervals
The B Ultralocrian scale is an extremely dark and condensed scale used to create intense chromatic tension. On Guitar, its notes are B, C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab. 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: B, C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab
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
Tuning: Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D)
Also known as: superlocrian bb7, superlocrian diminished
About Open D Tuning
Open D tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D) produces a full D major chord when strummed open, creating a warm, resonant sound that has been a staple of slide guitar, folk, and acoustic music for over a century. The three D strings create a deep, droning foundation that makes even simple chord shapes sound lush and full.
Open D is closely related to Open E (same intervals, just a whole step lower) but puts less tension on the guitar neck, making it safer for acoustic instruments. It was a favorite of Joni Mitchell, who used it extensively for her unique chord voicings, and Bob Dylan, who popularized it in folk-rock. For slide players, Open D provides the same intuitive major-chord-at-any-fret approach as Open G but with a warmer, deeper character.
Notable artists: Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Richie Havens, Bruce Cockburn, Elmore James
Best for: Slide guitar, folk fingerpicking, singer-songwriter arrangements, and acoustic compositions with rich open-string resonance
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- B Ultralocrian in Standard Tuning
- B Ultralocrian in Drop D
- B Ultralocrian in DADGAD
- B Ultralocrian in Open G
- B Ultralocrian in Baritone (B Standard)
- B Ultralocrian in 7-string
- B Ultralocrian in 8-string
- B Ultralocrian in Drop C
- B Ultralocrian in Drop B
- B Ultralocrian in Half Step Down
- B Ultralocrian in Open E
- B Ultralocrian in Open A
- B Ultralocrian in Double Drop D
- B Ultralocrian in Open C