Tuning-specific scale diagram

C Locrian Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning

C Locrian Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning shows the same c locrian scale pitch classes across 8 strings tuned E 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: C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb
Formula: 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7
Semitones: 0 1 3 5 6 8 10
Parent scale: Db major
Tuning: E B E A D G B E
Strings: 8
Open pitch range: E1 to E4
24-fret range: E1 to E6

Open strings and root positions

None of the 8 open strings belongs to C Locrian Scale. Every scale tone must therefore be fretted, beginning with the first available tone on the low E string.

First root on each string

String 8Fret 8

String 7Fret 1

String 6Fret 8

String 5Fret 3

String 4Fret 10

String 3Fret 5

String 2Fret 1

String 1Fret 8

Low-string pattern

On the lowest E string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11, with the C root at fret 8. On the highest E string, the first C is at fret 8.

Fret 1F4

Fret 2Gbb5

Fret 4Abb6

Fret 6Bbb7

Fret 8C1

Fret 9Dbb2

Fret 11Ebb3

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play C Locrian Scale on the low E string at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Play the scale without using an open string, then stop on the nearest C root each time the line changes strings.
Connect the C root positions on strings 8 through 1 at frets 8, 1, 8, 3, 10, 5, 1, and 8, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.