The C♭ Locrian scale contains seven notes: C♭, D♭♭, E♭♭, F♭, G♭♭, A♭♭, and B♭♭. It follows the whole-step / half-step pattern H-W-W-H-W-W-W.
The C♭ Locrian mode is the seventh mode of the D♭♭ Major scale. It has a diminished quality with flatted second and fifth degrees, the most dissonant of the seven modes.
C♭ Locrian Mode Notes
| Degree | Name | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | C♭ | P1 |
| ♭2 | Supertonic | D♭♭ | m2 |
| ♭3 | Mediant | E♭♭ | m3 |
| 4 | Subdominant | F♭ | P4 |
| ♭5 | Dominant | G♭♭ | d5 |
| ♭6 | Submediant | A♭♭ | m6 |
| ♭7 | Leading Tone | B♭♭ | m7 |
Diatonic Chords in the C♭ Locrian Mode
These are the triads built on each degree of the C♭ Locrian Mode:
How Locrian Relates to the Major Scale
Mode
Key
C♭ 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 C♭ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C♭ Dorian | C♭ – D♭♭ – E♭♭ – F♭ – G♭♭ – A♭♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ | 8 / 7 |
| C♭ Phrygian | C♭ – D♭♭ – E♭♭ – F♭ – G♭♭ – A♭♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ | 8 / 7 |
| C♭ Lydian | C♭ – D♭♭ – E♭♭ – F♭ – G♭♭ – A♭♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ | 8 / 7 |
| C♭ Mixolydian | C♭ – D♭♭ – E♭♭ – F♭ – G♭♭ – A♭♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ | 8 / 7 |
| C♭ Aeolian | C♭ – D♭♭ – E♭♭ – F♭ – G♭♭ | 5 / 7 |
| C♭ Ionian | C♭ – D♭♭ – E♭♭ – F♭ | 4 / 7 |
C♭ Locrian Mode — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the Cb Locrian mode?
Cb Locrian is the enharmonic equivalent of B Locrian. Same notes: Cb/B, Dbb/C, Ebb/D, Fb/E, Gbb/F, Abb/G, Bbb/A.
How does Cb Locrian differ from Cb Natural Minor?
Flatted 2nd and 5th. Diminished tonic.
What is the parent major scale?
Seventh mode of Dbb Major (enharmonically C Major).
How is Cb Locrian used in music?
Musicians use B Locrian in practice.
What songs use Locrian?
Sound identical regardless of spelling.
Do I need both spellings?
Learn B Locrian and understand the enharmonic relationship.