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