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#, D, E, F#, G, A, B
Formula: 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7
Semitones: 0 1 3 5 6 8 10
Parent scale: D 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

8 of the 8 open strings belong to C# Locrian Scale: string 8 E (b3), string 7 B (b7), string 6 E (b3), string 5 A (b6), string 4 D (b2), string 3 G (b5), string 2 B (b7), and string 1 E (b3). None of those open-string tones is the C# root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 8Eb3

String 7Bb7

String 6Eb3

String 5Ab6

String 4Db2

String 3Gb5

String 2Bb7

String 1Eb3

First root on each string

String 8Fret 9

String 7Fret 2

String 6Fret 9

String 5Fret 4

String 4Fret 11

String 3Fret 6

String 2Fret 2

String 1Fret 9

Low-string pattern

On the lowest E string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 10, with the C# root at fret 9. On the highest E string, the first C# is at fret 9.

OpenEb3

Fret 2F#4

Fret 3Gb5

Fret 5Ab6

Fret 7Bb7

Fret 9C#1

Fret 10Db2

Practice this tuning-specific layout

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