Locrian scale on guitar
Diminished mode with flat 2 and flat 5. Theory study. Formula 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7. In A, the Locrian scale is A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G.
Formula and step pattern
Steps between neighbouring notes, closing on the octave: H W W H W W W (W = whole step, H = half step, W+H = three semitones).
| Degree | Semitones from root | In A |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | A |
| b2 | 1 | Bb |
| b3 | 3 | C |
| 4 | 5 | D |
| b5 | 6 | Eb |
| b6 | 8 | F |
| b7 | 10 | G |
Locrian scale notes in all 12 keys
The root fret columns show where each key starts on the 6th (low E) and 5th (A) strings in standard tuning.
| Key | Notes | Root on 6th string | Root on 5th string |
|---|---|---|---|
| C Locrian | C Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb | 8 | 3 |
| C# Locrian | C# D E F# G A B | 9 | 4 |
| D Locrian | D Eb F G Ab Bb C | 10 | 5 |
| D# Locrian | D# E F# G# A B C# | 11 | 6 |
| E Locrian | E F G A Bb C D | Open (and 12) | 7 |
| F Locrian | F Gb Ab Bb Cb Db Eb | 1 | 8 |
| F# Locrian | F# G A B C D E | 2 | 9 |
| G Locrian | G Ab Bb C Db Eb F | 3 | 10 |
| G# Locrian | G# A B C# D E F# | 4 | 11 |
| A Locrian | A Bb C D Eb F G | 5 | Open (and 12) |
| A# Locrian | A# B C# D# E F# G# | 6 | 1 |
| B Locrian | B C D E F G A | 7 | 2 |
Fretboard positions: A Locrian
Root in solid cyan, scale tones outlined, from the open strings to fret 15. Slide the pattern along the neck to change key, using the root frets in the table above.
Pick another root in the scale trainer to light up the Locrian scale in any key.
Chords that fit A Locrian
Chords from the chord library built only from notes of A Locrian (A Bb C D Eb F G).
Related scales
- Major scale: Same notes, different home note: A Locrian uses the notes of Bb major.
- Natural minor scale: Same notes, different home note: A Locrian uses the notes of G natural minor.
- Dorian scale: Same notes, different home note: A Locrian uses the notes of C Dorian.
- Phrygian scale: Same notes, different home note: A Locrian uses the notes of D Phrygian. One note apart: Phrygian has 5 where Locrian has b5.
- Lydian scale: Same notes, different home note: A Locrian uses the notes of Eb Lydian.
- Mixolydian scale: Same notes, different home note: A Locrian uses the notes of F Mixolydian.