C Locrian scale

The C Locrian scale has the notes C D♭ E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭. Its formula is 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7. It is mode 7 of the D♭ major scale: the same notes, starting on C. Key signature: 5 flats (D♭ E♭ G♭ A♭ B♭).

It can also be written as B♯; we use the spelling with fewer accidentals.

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Scale notes

Degree	Formula	Note
I	1	C tonic
II	b2	D♭
III	b3	E♭
IV	4	F
V	b5	G♭
VI	b6	A♭
VII	b7	B♭

Chords of the scale

Symbol	Chord	Notes	Chord-scale	Tensions	Avoid
Iø modal center	Cø	C E♭ G♭ B♭	Locrian C	11 (F), b13 (A♭)	b9 (D♭)
bIIMaj7	D♭Maj7	D♭ F A♭ C	Ionian D♭	9 (E♭), 13 (B♭)	11 (G♭)
bIIIm7	E♭m7	E♭ G♭ B♭ D♭	Dorian E♭	9 (F), 11 (A♭), 13 (C)	–
IVm7	Fm7	F A♭ C E♭	Phrygian F	11 (B♭)	b9 (G♭), b13 (D♭)
bVMaj7	G♭Maj7	G♭ B♭ D♭ F	Lydian G♭	9 (A♭), #11 (C), 13 (E♭)	–
bVI7	A♭7	A♭ C E♭ G♭	Mixolydian A♭	9 (B♭), 13 (F)	11 (D♭)
bVIIm7	B♭m7	B♭ D♭ F A♭	Aeolian B♭	9 (C), 11 (E♭)	b13 (G♭)

Character and characteristic note

The Locrian mode is the seventh mode of the major scale and the darkest and most unstable. It has a flat second and a flat fifth (b5), so its tonic chord is half-diminished (ø) and it is rarely used as a tonal center.

Effect: unbalanced, very dark.
Characteristic note: b5.

How to use it

Center Iø. No characteristic chords or move: only the characteristic note b5. There are no Locrian pieces; Inner Urge only holds a -7b5.

Examples

Inner Urge (only holds a -7b5)

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the C Locrian scale?

C D♭ E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭. 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7.

What chords can you build on the C Locrian scale?

The seventh chords on each degree are Iø = Cø, bIIMaj7 = D♭Maj7, bIIIm7 = E♭m7, IVm7 = Fm7, bVMaj7 = G♭Maj7, bVI7 = A♭7, bVIIm7 = B♭m7.