G# Locrian Ukulele Scale
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What chords fit over G# Locrian?
Open G# Locrian HarmonizerG# Locrian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The G# Locrian scale is the seventh and most unstable mode of the major scale. On Ukulele, the notes are G#, A, B, C#, D, E, F#. It sounds highly dissonant and unresolved, as its home chord is a diminished triad. While rare as a primary key, it is a crucial technical tool for jazz musicians improvising over half-diminished chords in tension-heavy passages. The diatonic chords of G# Locrian are G#m7b5, AMaj7, Bm7, C#m7, DMaj7, E7, F#m7. Commonly used in Jazz, Metal, Experimental, Avant-Garde. Notable players include John Coltrane, Meshuggah, Dream Theater. Use over m7b5 (half-diminished) chords. Essential for jazz ii-V-i in minor keys where the ii chord is half-diminished.
Notes: G#, A, B, C#, D, E, F#
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3m, 4P, 5d, 6m, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Formula: H-W-W-H-W-W-W
Number of notes: 7
Diatonic Chords
G♯m7♭5 — AMaj7 — Bm7 — C♯m7 — DMaj7 — E7 — F♯m7
Musical Character
The only mode with a diminished 5th (b5) from the root, making its home chord a diminished triad. This instability means Locrian is almost never used as a key center — it is a tool for tension.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Jazz, Metal, Experimental, Avant-Garde
Notable players: John Coltrane, Meshuggah, Dream Theater
How to Use the G# Locrian Scale
Use over m7b5 (half-diminished) chords. Essential for jazz ii-V-i in minor keys where the ii chord is half-diminished.
Origin & Background
Named after the Locrians of ancient Greece. Considered 'unusable' for centuries until jazz musicians found its purpose over half-diminished chords.
How to Play G# Locrian on Ukulele
On ukulele, find G# 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 G# Locrian scale contains 3 sharps (G#, C#, F#). Its relative major is B major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Practice the G# Locrian scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 100 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 7 notes of the scale.
Try these progressions with the G# Locrian scale: G#m7b5 - C#m7 - DMaj7 - G#m7b5 (I-IV-V-I) or G#m7b5 - AMaj7 - C#m7 - DMaj7 for a more stepwise movement. This scale is especially effective in avant-garde contexts.
Ukulele Tips
On ukulele, the G# Locrian 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. Aim for a unstable quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
Locrian is the 7th mode of the Major scale. View G# Major scale
The G# Locrian scale contains 7 notes (G#, A, B, C#, D, E, F#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for G# Locrian
The G# Locrian 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 G# Locrian Further
- Harmonize the G# Locrian scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- G# Locrian on Guitar
- G# Locrian on Bass
- G# Locrian on Piano