Locrian Scale
Locrian is the seventh mode of the major scale — a minor scale with both a lowered second and a lowered fifth. Because the fifth is diminished the tonic chord is unstable, so Locrian is used over half-diminished chords rather than as a key.
Locrian scale formula
- Formula
- H–W–W–H–W–W–W
Locrian scale in every key
Other scale types
Frequently asked questions
What is the Locrian scale?
Locrian is the seventh mode of the major scale — a minor scale with both a lowered second and a lowered fifth. Because the fifth is diminished the tonic chord is unstable, so Locrian is used over half-diminished chords rather than as a key.
What is the formula for the Locrian scale?
The Locrian scale follows the step pattern H–W–W–H–W–W–W, where H is a half step and W is a whole step.
