C♯ 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 C♯, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where C♯ is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | C♯ D E F♯ G A B |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2m · 3m · 4P · 5d · 6m · 7m |
| Step pattern | H W W H W W W |
| Chords in the key | C♯°DEmF♯mGABm |
Chords in the C♯ Locrian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
C♯ Locrian on the piano
Improvisation drone · C♯
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano C♯ Locrian uses two black keys (C♯ and F♯) and five white.
C♯ · D · E · F♯ · G · A · B
Try C♯ Locrian on the virtual piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
C♯ Locrian on the guitar
C♯ Locrian - fr 0–12
C♯ Locrian on the staff
Notes of the C♯ Locrian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C♯ | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | D | minor 2nd2m | 1 | |
| 3 | E | minor 3rd3m | 3 | |
| 4 | F♯ | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | G | diminished 5th5d | 6 | |
| 6 | A | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | B | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes C♯ 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 C♯, C♯ Locrian has G where C♯ Phrygian has G♯; every other note is shared with C♯ Phrygian (C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A B).
Modes from C♯ Locrian
Each note of this scale produces a different mode with its own character.
How to use the C♯ Locrian scale
The diatonic chords of C♯ Locrian are: i° = C♯°, II = D, iii = Em, iv = F♯m, V = G, VI = A, vii = Bm. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in C♯ 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 C♯ 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 C♯ Locrian
Start with the music described above: listen for C♯ 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 C♯ Locrian scale?
The C♯ Locrian scale contains C♯, D, E, F♯, G, A and B.
What is the formula for the C♯ Locrian scale?
C♯ Locrian follows a minor scale with a flat second and a flat fifth (H-W-W-H-W-W-W).
Is C♯ Locrian a major or minor scale?
C♯ 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 C♯ Locrian scale?
The diatonic chords of C♯ Locrian are C♯°, D, Em, F♯m, G, A, Bm.
Which genres use C♯ 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 C♯ Locrian scale on the piano?
On the piano C♯ Locrian uses two black keys (C♯ and F♯) and five white.
What is the difference between C♯ Locrian and C♯ Phrygian?
On C♯, C♯ Locrian has G where C♯ Phrygian has G♯; every other note is shared with C♯ Phrygian (C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A B).
How do I practise the C♯ Locrian scale?
Locrian works best as a theoretical exercise. Spell each diatonic chord and notice why that diminished tonic makes it so unstable.