B Locrian at a glance
Locrian is rare as a tonal centre because of that diminished tonic, but you need to know it for modal theory. Shows up in metal and avant-garde jazz. Built on the root B, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where B is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | B C D E F G A |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2m · 3m · 4P · 5d · 6m · 7m |
| Step pattern | H W W H W W W |
| Chords in the key | B°CDmEmFGAm |
Chords in the B Locrian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
B Locrian on the piano
Improvisation drone · B
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano B Locrian uses only white keys.
B · C · D · E · F · G · A
Try B Locrian on the virtual piano
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B Locrian on the guitar
B Locrian - fr 0–12
B Locrian on the staff
Notes of the B Locrian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | C | minor 2nd2m | 1 | |
| 3 | D | minor 3rd3m | 3 | |
| 4 | E | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | F | diminished 5th5d | 6 | |
| 6 | G | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | A | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes B Locrian different
Locrian is the only mode of the major scale with a diminished fifth, so its tonic chord is a diminished triad rather than a major or minor one. That flat fifth is the one note separating it from Phrygian. Without a perfect fifth the tonic never sounds at rest, which is why whole pieces in Locrian are rare and the mode lives mostly in theory, over half-diminished chords in jazz, and in metal riffs. It's the seventh mode of the major scale, so it shares its notes with the major scale a half step above its root. On B, B Locrian has F where B Phrygian has F♯; every other note is shared with B Phrygian (B C D E F♯ G A).
Modes from B Locrian
Each note of this scale produces a different mode with its own character.
How to use the B Locrian scale
The diatonic chords of B Locrian are: i° = B°, II = C, iii = Dm, iv = Em, V = F, VI = G, vii = Am. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in B Locrian. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own diagram and progressions.
Locrian is rare as a tonal centre because of that diminished tonic, but you need to know it for modal theory. Shows up in metal and avant-garde jazz.
Practice tips
Locrian works best as a theoretical exercise. Spell each diatonic chord and notice why that diminished tonic makes it so unstable.
Formula & step pattern
The B Locrian scale follows a minor scale with a flat second and a flat fifth (H-W-W-H-W-W-W). Step pattern: H - W - W - H - W - W - W. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2m · 3m · 4P · 5d · 6m · 7m. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Where you will hear B Locrian
Start with the music described above: listen for B Locrian in it and transcribe a few short phrases by ear. It's the quickest way to learn how the scale sounds.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the B Locrian scale?
The B Locrian scale contains B, C, D, E, F, G and A.
What is the formula for the B Locrian scale?
B Locrian follows a minor scale with a flat second and a flat fifth (H-W-W-H-W-W-W).
Is B Locrian a major or minor scale?
B Locrian is a locrian scale. The unstable seventh mode - diminished tonic and a flat fifth, rarely used as tonal centre.
What chords belong to the B Locrian scale?
The diatonic chords of B Locrian are B°, C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am.
Which genres use B Locrian?
Locrian is rare as a tonal centre because of that diminished tonic, but you need to know it for modal theory. Shows up in metal and avant-garde jazz.
How do you play the B Locrian scale on the piano?
On the piano B Locrian uses only white keys.
What is the difference between B Locrian and B Phrygian?
On B, B Locrian has F where B Phrygian has F♯; every other note is shared with B Phrygian (B C D E F♯ G A).
How do I practise the B Locrian scale?
Locrian works best as a theoretical exercise. Spell each diatonic chord and notice why that diminished tonic makes it so unstable.