A Locrian Major Banjo (5-String) Scale
Banjo (5-String) scale — fretboard diagramAdvanced
A Locrian Major Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A Locrian Major scale is a 20th-century hybrid that combines the stability of a major third with the dissonance of a Locrian base. On Banjo (5-String), it contains the notes A, B, C#, D, Eb, F, G. It was used by experimental composers to create a sound that is both familiar and alien. Commonly used in Experimental, Contemporary Classical, Avant-Garde. Notable players include Bela Bartok, Gyorgy Ligeti. Use in experimental composition over polytonal or atonal passages. A tool for creating cognitive dissonance.
Notes: A, B, C#, D, Eb, F, G
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 4P, 5d, 6m, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5 b6 b7
Formula: W-W-H-H-W-W-W
Number of notes: 7
Also known as: arabian
Musical Character
A major 3rd within a Locrian framework — the contradiction creates a sound that is both familiar (major) and alien (b2, b5) simultaneously.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Experimental, Contemporary Classical, Avant-Garde
Notable players: Bela Bartok, Gyorgy Ligeti
How to Use the A Locrian Major Scale
Use in experimental composition over polytonal or atonal passages. A tool for creating cognitive dissonance.
Origin & Background
A 20th-century synthetic scale used by experimental composers to create sounds that defy tonal expectations.
How to Play A Locrian Major on Banjo (5-String)
Begin by locating A on your instrument and play through the 7 notes of the Locrian Major scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The A Locrian Major scale contains both sharps and flats (1 sharp, 1 flat), which is common in altered and exotic scales. Its relative major is C# major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 100 BPM and play the A Locrian Major scale in groups of four notes, shifting the starting note each repetition. This builds muscle memory across the entire scale range. After a week, try improvising short 4-bar phrases using only these notes.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on A to let the characteristic intervals of the Locrian Major scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in contemporary classical contexts.
Banjo (5-String) Tips
Practice the A Locrian Major scale slowly and evenly on your instrument, focusing on tone quality for each of the 7 notes before building speed. Aim for a alien quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
The A Locrian Major scale contains 7 notes (A, B, C#, D, Eb, F, G). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Banjo (5-String) with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for A Locrian Major
The A Locrian Major scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 7-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore A Locrian Major Further
- Browse chord progressions
- A Locrian Major on Guitar
- A Locrian Major on Ukulele
- A Locrian Major on Bass
- A Locrian Major on Piano