C# Ultralocrian Guitar Scale — Open D
Guitar scale in Open D tuning — fretboard diagram
C# Ultralocrian in Open D — Notes and Intervals
The C# Ultralocrian scale is an extremely dark and condensed scale used to create intense chromatic tension. On Guitar, its notes are C#, D, E, F, G, A, Bb. 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#, D, E, F, G, A, Bb
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
- C# Ultralocrian in Standard Tuning
- C# Ultralocrian in Drop D
- C# Ultralocrian in DADGAD
- C# Ultralocrian in Open G
- C# Ultralocrian in Baritone (B Standard)
- C# Ultralocrian in 7-string
- C# Ultralocrian in 8-string
- C# Ultralocrian in Drop C
- C# Ultralocrian in Drop B
- C# Ultralocrian in Half Step Down
- C# Ultralocrian in Open E
- C# Ultralocrian in Open A
- C# Ultralocrian in Double Drop D
- C# Ultralocrian in Open C