E Locrian 6 Guitar Scale

E Locrian 6 Scale — Notes and Intervals

The E Locrian 6 scale is a rare and dissonant mode that adds a major sixth sparkle to a dark Locrian base. On Guitar, its notes are E, F, G, A, Bb, C#, D. It provides a unique modal variation for experimental compositions and is used to create a sense of distorted major tonality. Commonly used in Experimental, Jazz, Avant-Garde. Notable players include Allan Holdsworth, Steve Coleman. Use over diminished and half-diminished chords in experimental contexts. A modal exploration tool rather than a standard jazz choice.

Notes: E, F, G, A, Bb, C#, D

Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3m, 4P, 5d, 6M, 7m

Degrees: 1 b2 b3 4 5 6 b7

Formula: H-W-W-H-WH-H-W

Number of notes: 7

Also known as: locrian natural 6, locrian sharp 6

Musical Character

Adds a major 6th sparkle to the otherwise dark Locrian mode — a contradiction that creates a uniquely unsettled, 'glitchy' quality.

Genres & Notable Artists

Genres: Experimental, Jazz, Avant-Garde

Notable players: Allan Holdsworth, Steve Coleman

How to Use the E Locrian 6 Scale

Use over diminished and half-diminished chords in experimental contexts. A modal exploration tool rather than a standard jazz choice.

Origin & Background

The second mode of the harmonic minor scale. Used in experimental composition.

How to Play E Locrian 6 on Guitar

Start the E Locrian 6 scale in open position, taking advantage of the open E string. Use a three-notes-per-string fingering to cover the full scale in one position, or learn the CAGED shapes to navigate the entire fretboard. An alternative starting point is open position.

The E Locrian 6 scale contains both sharps and flats (1 sharp, 1 flat), which is common in altered and exotic scales. Its relative major is G major, which shares the same key signature.

Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing

Begin by playing the E Locrian 6 scale ascending and descending at 100 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (E-G, F-A) 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 E to let the characteristic intervals of the Locrian 6 scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in experimental contexts.

Guitar Tips

Use hybrid picking (pick + fingers) when playing the E Locrian 6 scale on guitar to access wider intervals and string skips that a pick alone cannot handle efficiently. Aim for a distorted quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.

Related Scales

Locrian 6 is the 2nd mode of the Harmonic Minor scale. View E Harmonic minor scale

• E Locrian
• E Locrian #2
• E Dorian b2

The E Locrian 6 scale contains 7 notes (E, F, G, A, Bb, C#, D). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each shape and pattern on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges. Practice ascending and descending from the root note to learn the sound of this scale.

CAGED Positions & Patterns for E Locrian 6

The E Locrian 6 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 E Locrian 6 Further

• Harmonize the E Locrian 6 scale — triads & 7th chords
• Browse chord progressions
• E Locrian 6 on Ukulele
• E Locrian 6 on Bass
• E Locrian 6 on Piano

Explore E Locrian 6 in Other Tunings

• E Locrian 6 in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
• E Locrian 6 in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
• E Locrian 6 in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
• E Locrian 6 in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
• E Locrian 6 in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
• E Locrian 6 in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
• E Locrian 6 in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
• E Locrian 6 in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
• E Locrian 6 in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
• E Locrian 6 in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
• E Locrian 6 in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
• E Locrian 6 in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
• E Locrian 6 in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
• E Locrian 6 in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)

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