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