G Locrian scale
The G Locrian scale has the notes G A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭ F. Its formula is 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7. It is mode 7 of the A♭ major scale: the same notes, starting on G. Key signature: 4 flats (A♭ B♭ D♭ E♭).
Scale notes
| Degree | Formula | Note |
|---|---|---|
| I | 1 | G tonic |
| II | b2 | A♭ |
| III | b3 | B♭ |
| IV | 4 | C |
| V | b5 | D♭ |
| VI | b6 | E♭ |
| VII | b7 | F |
Chords of the scale
| Symbol | Chord | Notes | Chord-scale | Tensions | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iø modal center | Gø | G B♭ D♭ F | Locrian G | 11 (C), b13 (E♭) | b9 (A♭) |
| bIIMaj7 | A♭Maj7 | A♭ C E♭ G | Ionian A♭ | 9 (B♭), 13 (F) | 11 (D♭) |
| bIIIm7 | B♭m7 | B♭ D♭ F A♭ | Dorian B♭ | 9 (C), 11 (E♭), 13 (G) | – |
| IVm7 | Cm7 | C E♭ G B♭ | Phrygian C | 11 (F) | b9 (D♭), b13 (A♭) |
| bVMaj7 | D♭Maj7 | D♭ F A♭ C | Lydian D♭ | 9 (E♭), #11 (G), 13 (B♭) | – |
| bVI7 | E♭7 | E♭ G B♭ D♭ | Mixolydian E♭ | 9 (F), 13 (C) | 11 (A♭) |
| bVIIm7 | Fm7 | F A♭ C E♭ | Aeolian F | 9 (G), 11 (B♭) | b13 (D♭) |
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 G Locrian scale?
G A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭ F. 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7.
What chords can you build on the G Locrian scale?
The seventh chords on each degree are Iø = Gø, bIIMaj7 = A♭Maj7, bIIIm7 = B♭m7, IVm7 = Cm7, bVMaj7 = D♭Maj7, bVI7 = E♭7, bVIIm7 = Fm7.
Which major scale is the G Locrian scale a mode of?
It is mode 7 of the A♭ major scale; they share the same notes.
Other modes on the same tonic
Related scale: A♭ major scale