D# Ultralocrian Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open C tuning — fretboard diagram
D# Ultralocrian in Open C — Notes and Intervals
The D# Ultralocrian scale is an extremely dark and condensed scale used to create intense chromatic tension. On Guitar, 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
Tuning: Open C (C-G-C-G-C-E)
Also known as: superlocrian bb7, superlocrian diminished
About Open C Tuning
Open C tuning (C-G-C-G-C-E) produces a C major chord when strummed open, with an enormous bass depth from the low C string (two whole steps below standard E). The tuning spans a vast tonal range that gives compositions an almost orchestral scope, making it a favorite for both delicate fingerstyle and crushing heavy music.
John Butler's 'Ocean' — one of the most famous modern fingerstyle compositions — is performed in Open C, showcasing the tuning's incredible dynamic range from thundering bass to shimmering harmonics. Devin Townsend uses Open C extensively across his catalog for its massive, wall-of-sound potential. Jimmy Page used it on Led Zeppelin's 'Friends' from Led Zeppelin III. Soundgarden also explored Open C. The three C strings and two G strings create powerful octave resonances that make even simple chord shapes sound huge.
Notable artists: John Butler, Devin Townsend, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Soundgarden, William Ackerman
Best for: Cinematic fingerstyle compositions, progressive metal walls of sound, post-rock textures, and any music that needs enormous tonal range from deep bass to bright treble
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.
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- D# Ultralocrian in Standard Tuning
- D# Ultralocrian in Drop D
- D# Ultralocrian in DADGAD
- D# Ultralocrian in Open G
- D# Ultralocrian in Baritone (B Standard)
- D# Ultralocrian in 7-string
- D# Ultralocrian in 8-string
- D# Ultralocrian in Drop C
- D# Ultralocrian in Drop B
- D# Ultralocrian in Open D
- D# Ultralocrian in Half Step Down
- D# Ultralocrian in Open E
- D# Ultralocrian in Open A
- D# Ultralocrian in Double Drop D