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♯°F♯G♯mA♯mBC♯D♯m |
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 five black keys (F♯, G♯, A♯, C♯ and D♯) and two white. E♯ is the white key you'd normally call F.
E♯ · F♯ · G♯ · A♯ · B · C♯ · D♯
Try E♯ Locrian on the virtual piano
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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 = G♯m, iv = A♯m, V = B, VI = C♯, vii = D♯m. 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♯, G♯m, A♯m, B, C♯, D♯m.
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 five black keys (F♯, G♯, A♯, C♯ and D♯) and two white. E♯ is the white key you'd normally call F.
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.