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: 2 sharps (C♯ F♯).

It can also be written as D♭; we use the spelling with fewer accidentals.

Open in Grados with sound →

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	C♯ø	C♯ E G B	Locrian C♯	11 (F♯), b13 (A)	b9 (D)
bIIMaj7	DMaj7	D F♯ A C♯	Ionian D	9 (E), 13 (B)	11 (G)
bIIIm7	Em7	E G B D	Dorian E	9 (F♯), 11 (A), 13 (C♯)	–
IVm7	F♯m7	F♯ A C♯ E	Phrygian F♯	11 (B)	b9 (G), b13 (D)
bVMaj7	GMaj7	G B D F♯	Lydian G	9 (A), #11 (C♯), 13 (E)	–
bVI7	A7	A C♯ E G	Mixolydian A	9 (B), 13 (F♯)	11 (D)
bVIIm7	Bm7	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 = C♯ø, bIIMaj7 = DMaj7, bIIIm7 = Em7, IVm7 = F♯m7, bVMaj7 = GMaj7, bVI7 = A7, bVIIm7 = Bm7.