A Ultralocrian Banjo (5-String) Scale
Banjo (5-String) scale — fretboard diagramAdvanced
A Ultralocrian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A Ultralocrian scale is an extremely dark and condensed scale used to create intense chromatic tension. On Banjo (5-String), its notes are A, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, Gb. It is used in avant-garde jazz and dark ambient music to explore the most dissonant boundaries of minor-key tonality. Commonly used in Avant-Garde, Dark Ambient, Experimental Jazz. Notable players include John Zorn, Derek Bailey. Use over dim7 chords in avant-garde contexts. More of a compositional tool than an improvisational one.
Notes: A, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, Gb
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3m, 4d, 5d, 6m, 7d
Degrees: 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 7
Formula: H-W-H-W-W-H-WH
Number of notes: 7
Also known as: superlocrian bb7, superlocrian diminished
Musical Character
The darkest mode of the harmonic minor — so dark it has a diminished 4th (bb7), making it almost chromatic. Used to push dissonance to its absolute limit.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Avant-Garde, Dark Ambient, Experimental Jazz
Notable players: John Zorn, Derek Bailey
How to Use the A Ultralocrian Scale
Use over dim7 chords in avant-garde contexts. More of a compositional tool than an improvisational one.
Origin & Background
The seventh mode of the harmonic minor scale. Explores the most dissonant extreme of minor-key tonality.
How to Play A Ultralocrian on Banjo (5-String)
Begin by locating A on your instrument and play through the 7 notes of the Ultralocrian scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The A Ultralocrian scale contains 4 flats (Bb, Db, Eb, Gb). Its relative major is C major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 100 BPM and play the A Ultralocrian 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 Ultralocrian scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in dark ambient contexts.
Banjo (5-String) Tips
Practice the A Ultralocrian scale slowly and evenly on your instrument, focusing on tone quality for each of the 7 notes before building speed. Aim for a extremely dark quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
Ultralocrian is the 7th mode of the Harmonic Minor scale. View A Harmonic minor scale
The A Ultralocrian scale contains 7 notes (A, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, Gb). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Banjo (5-String) with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for A Ultralocrian
The A Ultralocrian 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 Ultralocrian Further
- Browse chord progressions
- A Ultralocrian on Guitar
- A Ultralocrian on Ukulele
- A Ultralocrian on Bass
- A Ultralocrian on Piano