F Locrian Major Banjo (5-String) Scale
Banjo (5-String) scale — fretboard diagramAdvanced
F Locrian Major Scale — Notes and Intervals
The F 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 F, G, A, Bb, B, Db, Eb. 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: F, G, A, Bb, B, Db, Eb
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 F 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 F Locrian Major on Banjo (5-String)
Begin by locating F on your instrument and play through the 7 notes of the Locrian Major scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The F Locrian Major scale contains 3 flats (Bb, Db, Eb). Its relative major is A major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the F Locrian Major scale ascending and descending at 100 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (F-A, G-Bb) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on F to let the characteristic intervals of the Locrian Major scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in experimental contexts.
Banjo (5-String) Tips
Practice the F 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 F Locrian Major scale contains 7 notes (F, G, A, Bb, B, Db, Eb). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Banjo (5-String) with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for F Locrian Major
The F 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 F Locrian Major Further
- Browse chord progressions
- F Locrian Major on Guitar
- F Locrian Major on Ukulele
- F Locrian Major on Bass
- F Locrian Major on Piano