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ENEN
Standard
Scales
Chords
B
Locrian
Frets: 0 - 24

Formula
Notes

m2-M2-M2-m2-M2-M2
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
E
B
G
D
A
E
F
C
F
1
A
E
B
2
G
D
F
C
G
3
B
4
A
E
C
G
D
A
5
F
6
B
D
A
E
B
7
C
G
F
C
8
E
B
9
D
A
F
C
G
D
10
11
E
B
G
D
A
E
12
F
C
F
13
A
E
B
14
G
D
F
C
G
15
B
16
A
E
C
G
D
A
17
F
18
B
D
A
E
B
19
C
G
F
C
20
E
B
21
D
A
F
C
G
D
22
23
E
B
G
D
A
E
24

Basic Scale Information

  • Name: Locrian Scale
  • Type: Diatonic scale (mode of the major scale)
  • Formula: 1 – ♭2 – ♭3 – 4 – ♭5 – ♭6 – ♭7
  • Relation with Major Scale: It is the seventh degree of the major scale. For example, B Locrian contains the same notes as C major.

Theoretical Aspects

  • Sound Character: The Locrian scale is considered the most unstable and dissonant among the diatonic scales. Its characteristic interval is the diminished fifth (♭5), which makes the chord built on the tonic a diminished chord. It has a dark, restless, and unstable character.
  • Typical Chord: m7♭5 (half-diminished) (e.g., Bm7♭5)
  • Modal Context: Little used in traditional tonal music, it is explored in jazz, experimental, or cinematic contexts for its unusual and unstable sound.
  • Harmonic Use: Often used on half-diminished seventh chords in minor II–V–I progressions, or in modal pieces with a dark color.

Musical Context

  1. Musical Styles: Jazz, Experimental metal, Fusion, Contemporary music
  2. Songs using the scale:
    • Nardis – Miles Davis
    • YYZ – Rush (some sections)
    • Equinox – John Coltrane
    • Angel of Death – Slayer (Locrian influences)
    • Blackened – Metallica (modal influences)
  3. Evoked Atmosphere: Tense, dark, unstable, mysterious, often associated with feelings of danger or uneasiness.

Chords in Scale

B
B Diminished
B Half Diminished 7
C
C Major
C Major 6
C Major 7
C Major 9
C Major 11
C Major 13
C Power chord
C Suspended Second
C Suspended Fourth
D
D Major Dominant 7 Suspended 4
D Major Dominant 9 Suspended 4
D Major Dominant 13 Suspended 4
D Power chord
D Suspended Second
D Suspended Fourth
D Minor
D Minor 7
D Minor 9
D Minor 11
E
E Major Dominant 7 Suspended 4
E Power chord
E Suspended Fourth
E Minor
E Minor 6
E Minor 7
F
F Major
F Major 6
F Major 7
F Major 9
F Power chord
F Suspended Second
G
G Major
G Major Dominant 7
G Major Dominant 9
G Major Dominant 11
G Major Dominant 7 Suspended 4
G Major Dominant 9 Suspended 4
G Major Dominant 13 Suspended 4
G Major Dominant 13
G Major 6
G Power chord
G Suspended Second
G Suspended Fourth
A
A Major Dominant 7 Suspended 4
A Major Dominant 9 Suspended 4
A Power chord
A Suspended Second
A Suspended Fourth
A Minor
A Minor 6
A Minor 13
A Minor 7
A Minor 9
A Minor 11