Tuning-specific scale diagram

F Locrian Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning

F Locrian Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning shows the same f 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: F, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb
Formula: 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7
Semitones: 0 1 3 5 6 8 10
Parent scale: Gb 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

2 of the 8 open strings belong to F Locrian Scale: string 7 Cb (b5) and string 2 Cb (b5). None of those open-string tones is the F root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 7Cbb5

String 2Cbb5

First root on each string

String 8Fret 1

String 7Fret 6

String 6Fret 1

String 5Fret 8

String 4Fret 3

String 3Fret 10

String 2Fret 6

String 1Fret 1

Low-string pattern

On the lowest E string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 11, with the F root at fret 1. On the highest E string, the first F is at fret 1.

Fret 1F1

Fret 2Gbb2

Fret 4Abb3

Fret 6Bb4

Fret 7Cbb5

Fret 9Dbb6

Fret 11Ebb7

Practice this tuning-specific layout

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