B Locrian Scale for Guitar
Key of B • Locrian Scale
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Guitar fretboard showing B locrian scale. Notes: B, C, D, E, F, G, A. Position: full.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
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21
22
e
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
B
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
G
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
D
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
A
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
E
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
Tab Notation
e|----- 0---- 1---- 3---- 5---- 7---- 8----10----12----13----15----17----19----20----22-----|
B|----- 0---- 1---- 3---- 5---- 6---- 8----10----12----13----15----17----18----20----22-----|
G|----- 0---- 2---- 4---- 5---- 7---- 9----10----12----14----16----17----19----21----22-----|
D|----- 0---- 2---- 3---- 5---- 7---- 9----10----12----14----15----17----19----21----22-----|
A|----- 0---- 2---- 3---- 5---- 7---- 8----10----12----14----15----17----19----20----22-----|
E|----- 0---- 1---- 3---- 5---- 7---- 8----10----12----13----15----17----19----20----22-----|
Notes: B - C - D - E - F - G - A
Formula
1♭2♭34♭5♭6♭7
Intervals
R - m2 - m3 - P4 - TT - m6 - m7
About the Locrian Scale
The Locrian mode is the most unstable and dissonant of the modes, featuring both a ♭2 and ♭5. The diminished 5th creates an unresolved, tense quality that feels incomplete and searching for resolution.
Usage
Rarely used as a primary scale due to its instability. Occasionally employed in jazz for half-diminished chords, experimental metal, and avant-garde music. More of a theoretical curiosity than a practical scale for most players.
History
Named after the ancient Greek region of Locris, this mode was considered the most unstable in medieval music theory. It's the only mode with a diminished fifth above the root, making it theoretically interesting but practically challenging.