Tuning-specific scale diagram

D Locrian Scale in 8-String Standard Tuning

D Locrian Scale in 8-String Standard Tuning shows the same d 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
D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C
Formula
1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7
Semitones
0 1 3 5 6 8 10
Parent scale
Eb 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

2 of the 8 open strings belong to D Locrian Scale: string 4 D (1) and string 3 G (4). D roots occur on open string 4.

String 4D1
String 3G4

First root on each string

String 8Fret 8
String 7Fret 3
String 6Fret 10
String 5Fret 5
String 4Open
String 3Fret 7
String 2Fret 3
String 1Fret 10

Low-string pattern

On the lowest F# string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11, with the D root at fret 8. On the highest E string, the first D is at fret 10.

Fret 1G4
Fret 2Abb5
Fret 4Bbb6
Fret 6Cb7
Fret 8D1
Fret 9Ebb2
Fret 11Fb3

Practice this tuning-specific layout

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

Fretboard diagram

D Locrian Scale in 8-String Standard Tuning fretboard diagram
D Locrian Scale in 8-String Standard Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing F# B E A D G B E.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with D Locrian Scale and 8-string standard tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings