Locrian mode: notes, formula and why it is rare
The Locrian mode has a flat 2nd and a flat 5th (1 ♭2 ♭3 4 ♭5 ♭6 ♭7). Hear its unstable sound, see it in all 12 keys and learn why few songs use it.
The Locrian mode has a flat 2nd and a flat 5th: degrees 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7. B Locrian is B C D E F G A B, the white keys from B. Its tonic chord is diminished (B D F), so it never sounds settled; it is the rarest of the seven modes.
Listen: A Locrian mode
A B♭ C D E♭ F G A
What is the formula of the Locrian mode?
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Notes | 7 |
| Semitones from the tonic | 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 |
| Step pattern | H-W-W-H-W-W-W |
| Uses the notes of | the major scale a half step above (7th mode) |
What does the Locrian mode sound like?
Unstable and dark, with no solid home. Used for tension, in jazz over half-diminished chords, and in some metal.
How to recognise it by ear
- The diminished 5th above the tonic is the giveaway: no perfect fifth means no stable home chord.
- Locrian is the 7th mode of the major scale: B Locrian uses the notes of C major.
- Jazz players use it over m7♭5 (half-diminished) chords.
Spot the wrong note
Each scale below is a Locrian mode with one note moved a half step. Find it by ear.
Score: / 3 (your score updates as you answer)
The Locrian mode in all 12 keys
| Scale | Notes | Same notes as | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Locrian | A B♭ C D E♭ F G | B♭ major | |
| E Locrian | E F G A B♭ C D | F major | |
| B Locrian | B C D E F G A | C major | |
| F♯ Locrian | F♯ G A B C D E | G major | |
| C♯ Locrian | C♯ D E F♯ G A B | D major | |
| G♯ Locrian | G♯ A B C♯ D E F♯ | A major | |
| D Locrian | D E♭ F G A♭ B♭ C | E♭ major | |
| G Locrian | G A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭ F | A♭ major | |
| C Locrian | C D♭ E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭ | D♭ major | |
| F Locrian | F G♭ A♭ B♭ C♭ D♭ E♭ | G♭ major | |
| B♭ Locrian | B♭ C♭ D♭ E♭ F♭ G♭ A♭ | C♭ major | |
| E♭ Locrian | E♭ F♭ G♭ A♭ Bb♭ C♭ D♭ | F♭ major |
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula of the Locrian mode?
H-W-W-H-W-W-W, or degrees 1, flat 2, flat 3, 4, flat 5, flat 6, flat 7 (0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10 semitones).
What notes are in B Locrian?
B C D E F G A: the notes of C major, starting on B.
Why is the Locrian mode rarely used?
Its tonic triad is diminished, so it cannot give a stable resting point; most melodies drift to another mode's tonic.
What chord goes with the Locrian mode?
The half-diminished chord (Bm7 flat 5 = B D F A), built from its 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th notes.