D Ultralocrian Ukulele Scale
Ukulele scale — fretboard diagram
D Ultralocrian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The D Ultralocrian scale is an extremely dark and condensed scale used to create intense chromatic tension. On Ukulele, its notes are D, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, B. 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: D, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, B
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 D Ultralocrian on Ukulele
On ukulele, find D on the fret 2 area, and 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 D Ultralocrian scale contains 4 flats (Eb, Gb, Ab, Bb). Its relative major is F major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the D Ultralocrian scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (D-F, Eb-Gb) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on D to let the characteristic intervals of the Ultralocrian scale come through clearly.
Ukulele Tips
On ukulele, the D Ultralocrian 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 Ultralocrian scale contains 7 notes (D, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, B). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for D Ultralocrian
The D 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 D Ultralocrian Further
- Harmonize the D Ultralocrian scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- D Ultralocrian on Guitar
- D Ultralocrian on Bass
- D Ultralocrian on Piano