C Locrian Pentatonic Ukulele Scale
Ukulele scale — fretboard diagram
C Locrian Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C Locrian Pentatonic scale is an unstable and mysterious scale used to evoke tension and ambiguity. On Ukulele, its notes are C, Eb, F, Gb, Bb. 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: C, Eb, F, Gb, Bb
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5d, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 b5
Formula: WH-W-H-4-W
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: minor seven flat five pentatonic
How to Play C Locrian Pentatonic on Ukulele
On ukulele, find C on the open strings or work through the scale within a four-fret span. With 5 notes, this scale fits neatly on the ukulele's short fretboard without requiring large stretches.
The C 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 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.
Ukulele Tips
On ukulele, the C Locrian Pentatonic scale sounds particularly charming when played as a melodic pattern over fingerpicked chord shapes. Try integrating scale tones into your strumming patterns for a more sophisticated sound.
The C Locrian Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (C, Eb, F, Gb, Bb). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for C Locrian Pentatonic
The C 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.
Explore C Locrian Pentatonic Further
- Harmonize the C Locrian Pentatonic scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- C Locrian Pentatonic on Guitar
- C Locrian Pentatonic on Bass
- C Locrian Pentatonic on Piano