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