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SCALE · ON ALTO SAXOPHONE

C♯ Locrian

Diminished tonic. Rare in practice; theoretical more than functional.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
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Tempo120 bpm

Playback sounds a major 6th below the written notation — the instrument's concert (sounding) pitch.

Audio source: tonejs-instruments by Nick Brosowsky (MIT)

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 5 title C♯ Locrian Verovio
Keyboard
DEGABDEGABDEGABC♯F♯C♯F♯C♯F♯
Related scales
Diatonic chord harmonisation
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
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Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the C♯ Locrian scale?

The C♯ Locrian scale uses the notes C♯, D, E, F♯, G, A, B (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).

What's the Locrian scale formula?

The Locrian scale follows the interval pattern H W W H W W W, where W = whole step (2 semitones) and H = half step (1 semitone). Apply that pattern starting on C♯ to get the C♯ Locrian scale.

What chords work over C♯ Locrian?

Locrian works over m7♭5 (half-diminished) chords — the ii of a minor ii–V–i. Locrian ♮6 is often a better fit.

How do I finger C♯ Locrian on Alto Saxophone?

On saxophone, scales train fingering + the altissimo register. Practice the entire range — low Bb through high F (or higher with altissimo fingerings) — at each scale.

When would I use the Locrian scale?

Diminished tonic. Rare in practice; theoretical more than functional.