STRINGSCALES

A locrian #2 Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: F, G, A, B, C, D, Eb at frets 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11

A string: A, B, C, D, Eb, F, G, A at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12

D string: D, Eb, F, G, A, B, C, D at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12

G string: G, A, B, C, D, Eb, F, G at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

B string: B, C, D, Eb, F, G, A, B at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12

High E string: F, G, A, B, C, D, Eb at frets 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11

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A locrian #2

The locrian #2 scale is the sixth mode of the melodic minor scale, locrian with its flat 2nd raised to a natural 2nd. That one change gives half-diminished chords a usable scale without the b9 rub against the root, which is why jazz players treat it as the polished choice over m7b5 in minor ii-V-i progressions.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

A

i°

Adim
B

ii°

Bdim
C

biii

Cm
D

iv

Dm
E♭

bV+

E♭aug
F

bVI

Fmaj
G

bVII

Gmaj

Characteristic note: B (natural 2), the natural second that makes this the friendlier half-diminished scale.

Same notes, different mode

A locrian #2 uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

B alteredC melodic minorD dorian b2Eb lydian augmentedF lydian dominantG mixolydian b6

locrian #2 in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Over a m7b5 chord, A locrian #2 (C) is the polished choice: the natural 2nd (B) removes the b9 clash that plain locrian has against the root.
  • Think melodic minor up a minor 3rd from A; borrowed fingerings work as-is.
  • Start lines on the natural 2nd (B) to advertise the difference from locrian, then outline the half-diminished arpeggio.
  • In a minor ii-V-i, follow it with the altered scale of the V chord: two modes of neighboring melodic minors, one seamless line.

How to play A locrian #2 on guitar

Strum the open A, D, G and B strings and every one lands in A locrian #2: root, fourth, seventh, second, so the guitar's middle drones the scale for free. C melodic minor owns the same fingering 3 frets up, which means borrowed shapes get you moving immediately. Only one flat sits in the signature. Low root at fret 5 on the E strings, with position one ending at fret 9.

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