D# Locrian Pentatonic Ukulele Scale
Ukulele scale — fretboard diagram
D# Locrian Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The D# Locrian Pentatonic scale is an unstable and mysterious scale used to evoke tension and ambiguity. On Ukulele, its notes are D#, F#, G#, A, C#. 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: D#, F#, G#, A, C#
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 D# Locrian Pentatonic on Ukulele
On ukulele, find D# on the fret 2 area, and 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 D# Locrian Pentatonic scale contains 4 sharps (D#, F#, G#, C#). 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 D# 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 D#. Try a D#5 - A5 - C#5 progression.
Ukulele Tips
On ukulele, the D# 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 D# Locrian Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (D#, F#, G#, A, C#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for D# Locrian Pentatonic
The D# 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 D# Locrian Pentatonic Further
- Harmonize the D# Locrian Pentatonic scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- D# Locrian Pentatonic on Guitar
- D# Locrian Pentatonic on Bass
- D# Locrian Pentatonic on Piano