B Locrian Mode

Hear the B Locrian Mode played for you.

B – C – D – E – F – G – A

Formula:H-W-W-H-W-W-W

Intervals:P1-m2-m3-P4-d5-m6-m7-P8

Scale Degrees:1-♭2-♭3-4-♭5-♭6-♭7-8

Introduction

The B Locrian mode is the seventh mode of the C Major scale. It has a diminished quality with flatted second and fifth degrees, the most dissonant of the seven modes.

B Locrian Mode Notes

Degree	Name	Note	Interval
1	Tonic	B	P1
♭2	Supertonic	C	m2
♭3	Mediant	D	m3
4	Subdominant	E	P4
♭5	Dominant	F	d5
♭6	Submediant	G	m6
♭7	Leading Tone	A	m7

How Locrian Relates to the Major Scale

Mode

Key

B Locrian uses the same notes as C Major

Relative modes — all share the same notes

C Ionian=D Dorian=E Phrygian=F Lydian=G Mixolydian=A Aeolian=B Locrian

Common Tones

Common tones are the notes that two scales or modes share. Knowing which notes the B mode shares with its parallel modes (same root, different scale) helps with improvisation, modal interchange, and smooth voice leading. The more notes two modes share, the more closely related they sound — and the easier it is to slide between them in a solo or progression.

Parallel Mode	Common Notes	Shared / 7
B Dorian	B – C – D – E – F – G – A – B	8 / 7
B Phrygian	B – C – D – E – F – G – A – B	8 / 7
B Lydian	B – C – D – E – F – G – A – B	8 / 7
B Mixolydian	B – C – D – E – F – G – A – B	8 / 7
B Ionian	B – C – D – E – F	5 / 7
B Aeolian	B – C – D – E – F	5 / 7

B Locrian Mode — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the B Locrian mode?

B Locrian contains: B, C, D, E, F, G, A. All white keys. Seventh mode of C Major. Flatted 2nd and 5th.

How does B Locrian differ from B Natural Minor?

Two notes: flatted 2nd (C instead of C#) and flatted 5th (F instead of F#).

What is the parent major scale?

Seventh mode of C Major. All white keys with B as tonal centre.

How is B Locrian used in music?

Over Bm7b5 in jazz. B Locrian is all white keys, making it the easiest Locrian to study. Metal and progressive music.

What chords are built from B Locrian?

Bdim, C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am. The diminished tonic (Bdim) is the vii° chord in C Major.

What songs use Locrian?

Progressive metal, experimental jazz. B Locrian is common in theory education because it uses all white keys.

Practice Tips

B Locrian is all white keys — the easiest Locrian to study and hear.
The B–C half step and diminished 5th (F) define the sound.
Over Bm7b5 (the vii chord in C Major) in jazz — the primary application.
B Locrian is how most theory students first encounter Locrian — start here.
Compare with B Phrygian — only the 5th differs (F vs F#).
The darkest B mode — nothing resolves because the tonic triad is diminished.