Locrian Mode
The Locrian Mode has a diminished quality due to its Minor Third E♭ and Diminished Fifth G♭. The Locrian Mode, like Locrian, is one of seven diatonic modes originally formed using just the natural notes (think just the white keys on a piano) but starting on a particular note, B in the case of the Locrian Mode, which creates a unique sequence of intervals. This mode can then be transposed to any key such as Locrian Mode in this example. Locrian Mode is classified as a heptatonic scale as it has seven notes, C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭, B♭. The Locrian Mode is also known as a diatonic scale which conforms to specific rules.
Below you will find the Locrian Mode notes, notation, patterns, degrees, intervals and more. You can also opt to see the Locrian Mode on your preferred instrument.
Notes Ascending
C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭, B♭, C
Notes Descending
C, B♭, A♭, G♭, F, E♭, D♭, C
Notation Ascending
Notation Descending
Pattern Ascending
S, T, T, S, T, T, T
S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)
Pattern Descending
T, T, T, S, T, T, S
S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)
Degrees Ascending
Note | Number | Name |
---|---|---|
C | 1 | Tonic |
D♭ | ♭2 | Supertonic |
E♭ | ♭3 | Mediant |
F | 4 | Subdominant |
G♭ | ♭5 | Dominant |
A♭ | ♭6 | Submediant |
B♭ | ♭7 | Subtonic |
C | 8 | Tonic (Octave) |
Degrees Descending
Note | Number | Name |
---|---|---|
C | 8 | Tonic (Octave) |
B♭ | ♭7 | Subtonic |
A♭ | ♭6 | Submediant |
G♭ | ♭5 | Dominant |
F | 4 | Subdominant |
E♭ | ♭3 | Mediant |
D♭ | ♭2 | Supertonic |
C | 1 | Tonic |
Intervals Ascending
Notes | Semitones | Interval |
---|---|---|
C > C | 0 | Perfect Unison (P1) |
C > D♭ | 1 | minor 2nd (m2) |
C > E♭ | 3 | minor 3rd (m3) |
C > F | 5 | Perfect 4th (P4) |
C > G♭ | 6 | Diminished 5th (d5 or Tritone) |
C > A♭ | 8 | minor 6th (m6) |
C > B♭ | 10 | minor 7th (m7) |
C > C | 12 | Perfect Octave (P8) |
Intervals Descending
Notes | Semitones | Interval |
---|---|---|
C > C | 0 | Perfect Unison (P1) |
C > B♭ | 2 | Major 2nd (M2) |
C > A♭ | 4 | Major 3rd (M3) |
C > G♭ | 6 | Augmented 4th (A4 or Tritone) |
C > F | 7 | Perfect 5th (P5) |
C > E♭ | 9 | Major 6th (M6) |
C > D♭ | 11 | Major 7th (M7) |
C > C | 12 | Perfect Octave (P8) |
Modes related to C Locrian Mode
Enharmonic Equivalent Mode
Scale with the same root and notes as the C Locrian Mode but different spelling.
B♯ Locrian Mode
Chords related to C Locrian Mode
Related Triads
These chords have been built using the notes of the C Locrian Mode. The chords are in degree order and shown in Roman numerals (lowercase = minor/diminished, uppercase = Major/Augmented).
io Chord - C Diminished
♭II Chord - D♭ Major
♭iii Chord - E♭ Minor
iv Chord - F Minor
♭V Chord - G♭ Major
♭VI Chord - A♭ Major
♭vii Chord - B♭ Minor
Learn to Play Locrian Mode
If you want to learn what scales and modes are and much more, check out our free Fundamentals of Music Theory course. If you already know some of the basics, you can jump straight into the scales lesson.