Tuning-specific scale diagram

B Locrian Scale in Open E Tuning

B Locrian Scale in Open E Tuning shows the same b locrian scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned E B E G# B E. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes
B, C, D, E, F, G, A
Formula
1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7
Semitones
0 1 3 5 6 8 10
Parent scale
C major
Tuning
E B E G# B E
Strings
6
Open pitch range
E2 to E4
24-fret range
E2 to E6

Open strings and root positions

5 of the 6 open strings belong to B Locrian Scale: string 6 E (4), string 5 B (1), string 4 E (4), string 2 B (1), and string 1 E (4). B roots occur on open strings 5 and 2.

String 6E4
String 5B1
String 4E4
String 2B1
String 1E4

First root on each string

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

Low-string pattern

On the lowest E string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 10, with the B root at fret 7. On the highest E string, the first B is at fret 7.

OpenE4
Fret 1Fb5
Fret 3Gb6
Fret 5Ab7
Fret 7B1
Fret 8Cb2
Fret 10Db3

Practice this tuning-specific layout

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

Fretboard diagram

B Locrian Scale in Open E Tuning fretboard diagram
B Locrian Scale in Open E Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing E B E G# B E.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

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

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings