Tuning-specific scale diagram

Bb Locrian Scale in 8-String Standard Tuning

Bb Locrian Scale in 8-String Standard Tuning shows the same bb locrian scale pitch classes across 8 strings tuned F# B E A D G B E. The seventh and eighth strings extend the pattern into the lower register for wider-range riffs and chord voicings.

Scale notes: Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab
Formula: 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7
Semitones: 0 1 3 5 6 8 10
Parent scale: B major
Tuning: F# B E A D G B E
Strings: 8
Open pitch range: F#1 to E4
24-fret range: F#1 to E6

Open strings and root positions

5 of the 8 open strings belong to Bb Locrian Scale: string 8 Gb (b6), string 7 Cb (b2), string 6 Fb (b5), string 2 Cb (b2), and string 1 Fb (b5). None of those open-string tones is the Bb root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 8Gbb6

String 7Cbb2

String 6Fbb5

String 2Cbb2

String 1Fbb5

First root on each string

String 8Fret 4

String 7Fret 11

String 6Fret 6

String 5Fret 1

String 4Fret 8

String 3Fret 3

String 2Fret 11

String 1Fret 6

Low-string pattern

On the lowest F# string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 10, with the Bb root at fret 4. On the highest E string, the first Bb is at fret 6.

OpenGbb6

Fret 2Abb7

Fret 4Bb1

Fret 5Cbb2

Fret 7Dbb3

Fret 9Eb4

Fret 10Fbb5

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play Bb Locrian Scale on the low F# string at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets Gb on open string 8 ring, then connect it to the nearest Bb root and two other scale tones.
Connect the Bb root positions on strings 8 through 1 at frets 4, 11, 6, 1, 8, 3, 11, and 6, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.