fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON GUITAR

C Locrian

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

MEIMIDIHumdrum
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Tempo120 bpm

Playback sounds an octave 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
Tuning
FretboardTuning: BEADGBE
35791215BEADGBECD♭E♭FG♭A♭B♭CD♭FG♭A♭B♭CD♭E♭FG♭B♭CD♭E♭FG♭A♭B♭CE♭FG♭A♭B♭CD♭E♭FA♭B♭CD♭E♭FG♭A♭B♭CD♭E♭FG♭A♭B♭CD♭FG♭A♭B♭CD♭E♭FG♭
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 Guitar?

On guitar, scales are typically learned as position patterns — three- or four-notes-per-string shapes that move up the neck. The CAGED system positions each scale in five interconnected patterns; the three-notes-per-string approach simplifies modal scales.

When would I use the Locrian scale?

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