C Ultralocrian Ukulele Scale
Ukulele scale — fretboard diagram
C Ultralocrian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C Ultralocrian scale is an extremely dark and condensed scale used to create intense chromatic tension. On Ukulele, its notes are C, Db, Eb, E, Gb, Ab, A. 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, Db, Eb, E, Gb, Ab, A
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
Also known as: superlocrian bb7, superlocrian diminished
How to Play C Ultralocrian on Ukulele
On ukulele, find C on the open strings or work through the scale within a four-fret span. You may need to shift positions once to cover all 7 notes. Practice each position separately before linking them together.
The C Ultralocrian scale contains 4 flats (Db, Eb, Gb, Ab). Its relative major is Eb major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the C Ultralocrian 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.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on C to let the characteristic intervals of the Ultralocrian scale come through clearly.
Ukulele Tips
The compact fretboard of the ukulele makes the C Ultralocrian scale easy to visualize in a single position. Use this to your advantage by memorizing the scale shape relative to chord shapes you already know.
The C Ultralocrian scale contains 7 notes (C, Db, Eb, E, Gb, Ab, A). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for C Ultralocrian
The C Ultralocrian 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 7-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore C Ultralocrian Further
- Harmonize the C Ultralocrian scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- C Ultralocrian on Guitar
- C Ultralocrian on Bass
- C Ultralocrian on Piano