D# Ultralocrian Mandolin Scale
Mandolin scale — fretboard diagramAdvanced
D# Ultralocrian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The D# Ultralocrian scale is an extremely dark and condensed scale used to create intense chromatic tension. On Mandolin, its notes are D#, E, F#, G, A, B, C. 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: D#, E, F#, G, A, B, C
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 D# 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 D# Ultralocrian on Mandolin
Begin by locating D# on your instrument and play through the 7 notes of the Ultralocrian scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The D# Ultralocrian scale contains 2 sharps (D#, F#). Its relative major is F# major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the D# Ultralocrian scale ascending and descending at 100 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (D#-F#, E-G) 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 D# to let the characteristic intervals of the Ultralocrian scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in avant-garde contexts.
Mandolin Tips
Practice the D# 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 D# Harmonic minor scale
The D# Ultralocrian scale contains 7 notes (D#, E, F#, G, A, B, C). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Mandolin with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for D# Ultralocrian
The D# 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 D# Ultralocrian Further
- Browse chord progressions
- D# Ultralocrian on Guitar
- D# Ultralocrian on Ukulele
- D# Ultralocrian on Bass
- D# Ultralocrian on Piano