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

NoteNumberName
C1Tonic
D2Supertonic
E3Mediant
F4Subdominant
G5Dominant
A6Submediant
B7Subtonic
C8Tonic (Octave)

Degrees Descending

NoteNumberName
C8Tonic (Octave)
B7Subtonic
A6Submediant
G5Dominant
F4Subdominant
E3Mediant
D2Supertonic
C1Tonic

Intervals Ascending

NotesSemitonesInterval
C > C0Perfect Unison (P1)
C > D1minor 2nd (m2)
C > E3minor 3rd (m3)
C > F5Perfect 4th (P4)
C > G6Diminished 5th (d5 or Tritone)
C > A8minor 6th (m6)
C > B10minor 7th (m7)
C > C12Perfect Octave (P8)

Intervals Descending

NotesSemitonesInterval
C > C0Perfect Unison (P1)
C > B2Major 2nd (M2)
C > A4Major 3rd (M3)
C > G6Augmented 4th (A4 or Tritone)
C > F7Perfect 5th (P5)
C > E9Major 6th (M6)
C > D11Major 7th (M7)
C > C12Perfect 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

Instrument View

See C Locrian Mode on

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.

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