F Locrian scale

The F Locrian scale has the notes F G♭ A♭ B♭ C♭ D♭ E♭. Its formula is 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7. It is mode 7 of the G♭ major scale: the same notes, starting on F. Key signature: 6 flats (G♭ A♭ B♭ C♭ D♭ E♭).

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

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Scale notes

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

Chords of the scale

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

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 F Locrian scale?

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

What chords can you build on the F Locrian scale?

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