A Locrian Pentatonic Banjo (5-String) Scale
Banjo (5-String) scale — fretboard diagramAdvanced
A Locrian Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A Locrian Pentatonic scale is an unstable and mysterious scale used to evoke tension and ambiguity. On Banjo (5-String), its notes are A, C, D, Eb, G. It is often found in experimental music and certain Indian Ragas, providing a dissonant, outside sound that is perfect for dark, avant-garde, or high-tension compositions. Commonly used in Jazz, Fusion, Experimental, Progressive. Notable players include John Scofield, Kurt Rosenwinkel. Use over m7b5 (half-diminished) chords. Essential for jazz solos over ii chords in minor ii-V-i progressions.
Notes: A, C, D, Eb, G
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5d, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 b5
Formula: WH-W-H-4-W
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: minor seven flat five pentatonic
Musical Character
The darkest pentatonic — contains the b5 that defines the Locrian sound. Excellent for outlining m7b5 chords in jazz with minimal notes.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Jazz, Fusion, Experimental, Progressive
Notable players: John Scofield, Kurt Rosenwinkel
How to Use the A Locrian Pentatonic Scale
Use over m7b5 (half-diminished) chords. Essential for jazz solos over ii chords in minor ii-V-i progressions.
Origin & Background
Jazz-derived pentatonic for navigating half-diminished chord changes with clarity.
How to Play A Locrian Pentatonic on Banjo (5-String)
Begin by locating A on your instrument and play through the 5 notes of the Locrian Pentatonic scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The A Locrian Pentatonic scale contains 1 flat (Eb). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Practice the A Locrian Pentatonic scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 100 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 5 notes of the scale.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in A. Try a A5 - Eb5 - G5 progression. This scale is especially effective in jazz contexts.
Banjo (5-String) Tips
Practice the A Locrian Pentatonic scale slowly and evenly on your instrument, focusing on tone quality for each of the 5 notes before building speed. Aim for a dark quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
Locrian Pentatonic is the Five-note Locrian subset. View A Locrian scale
The A Locrian Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (A, C, D, Eb, 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 Pentatonic
The A Locrian Pentatonic 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 5-note pentatonic scale, 2-notes-per-string patterns are the most ergonomic way to traverse the fretboard. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore A Locrian Pentatonic Further
- Browse chord progressions
- A Locrian Pentatonic on Guitar
- A Locrian Pentatonic on Ukulele
- A Locrian Pentatonic on Bass
- A Locrian Pentatonic on Piano