Tuning-specific scale diagram

Ab Locrian Scale in Open A Tuning

Ab Locrian Scale in Open A Tuning shows the same ab locrian scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned E A E A C# E. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes
Ab, Bbb, Cb, Db, Ebb, Fb, Gb
Formula
1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7
Semitones
0 1 3 5 6 8 10
Parent scale
A major
Tuning
E A E A C# E
Strings
6
Open pitch range
E2 to E4
24-fret range
E2 to E6

Open strings and root positions

6 of the 6 open strings belong to Ab Locrian Scale: string 6 Fb (b6), string 5 Bbb (b2), string 4 Fb (b6), string 3 Bbb (b2), string 2 Db (4), and string 1 Fb (b6). None of those open-string tones is the Ab root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 6Fbb6
String 5Bbbb2
String 4Fbb6
String 3Bbbb2
String 2Db4
String 1Fbb6

First root on each string

String 6Fret 4
String 5Fret 11
String 4Fret 4
String 3Fret 11
String 2Fret 7
String 1Fret 4

Low-string pattern

On the lowest E string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 10, with the Ab root at fret 4. On the highest E string, the first Ab is at fret 4.

OpenFbb6
Fret 2Gbb7
Fret 4Ab1
Fret 5Bbbb2
Fret 7Cbb3
Fret 9Db4
Fret 10Ebbb5

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play Ab Locrian Scale on the low E string at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets Fb on open string 6 ring, then connect it to the nearest Ab root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the Ab root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 4, 11, 4, 11, 7, and 4, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

Ab Locrian Scale in Open A Tuning fretboard diagram
Ab Locrian Scale in Open A Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing E A E A C# E.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with Ab Locrian Scale and open a tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings