C Super Locrian Pentatonic Tres Cubano Scale
Tres Cubano scale — fretboard diagram
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 Tres Cubano, it contains the notes C, Eb, E, Gb, Bb. 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, Eb, E, Gb, Bb
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4d, 5d, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 b5
Formula: WH-H-W-4-W
Number of notes: 5
How to Play C Super Locrian Pentatonic on Tres Cubano
Begin by locating C on your instrument and play through the 5 notes of the Super Locrian Pentatonic scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The C Super Locrian Pentatonic scale contains 3 flats (Eb, Gb, Bb). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the C Super Locrian Pentatonic scale in groups of four notes, shifting the starting note each repetition. This builds muscle memory across the entire scale range. After a week, try improvising short 4-bar phrases using only these notes.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in C. Try a C5 - Gb5 - Bb5 progression.
Tres Cubano Tips
Practice the C Super Locrian Pentatonic scale slowly and evenly on your instrument, focusing on tone quality for each of the 5 notes before building speed.
The C Super Locrian Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (C, Eb, E, Gb, Bb). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Tres Cubano with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for C Super Locrian Pentatonic
The C Super Locrian Pentatonic scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 5-note pentatonic scale, 2-notes-per-string patterns are the most ergonomic way to traverse the fretboard. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.