G Locrian Pentatonic Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open C tuning — fretboard diagram
G Locrian Pentatonic in Open C — Notes and Intervals
The G Locrian Pentatonic scale is an unstable and mysterious scale used to evoke tension and ambiguity. On Guitar, its notes are G, Bb, C, Db, F. It is often found in experimental music and certain Indian Ragas, providing a dissonant, outside sound that is perfect for dark, avant-garde, or high-tension compositions. Commonly used in Jazz, Fusion, Experimental, Progressive. Notable players include John Scofield, Kurt Rosenwinkel. Use over m7b5 (half-diminished) chords. Essential for jazz solos over ii chords in minor ii-V-i progressions.
Notes: G, Bb, C, Db, F
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5d, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 b5
Formula: WH-W-H-4-W
Number of notes: 5
Tuning: Open C (C-G-C-G-C-E)
Also known as: minor seven flat five pentatonic
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 pentatonic — contains the b5 that defines the Locrian sound. Excellent for outlining m7b5 chords in jazz with minimal notes.
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- G Locrian Pentatonic in Standard Tuning
- G Locrian Pentatonic in Drop D
- G Locrian Pentatonic in DADGAD
- G Locrian Pentatonic in Open G
- G Locrian Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard)
- G Locrian Pentatonic in 7-string
- G Locrian Pentatonic in 8-string
- G Locrian Pentatonic in Drop C
- G Locrian Pentatonic in Drop B
- G Locrian Pentatonic in Open D
- G Locrian Pentatonic in Half Step Down
- G Locrian Pentatonic in Open E
- G Locrian Pentatonic in Open A
- G Locrian Pentatonic in Double Drop D