C Locrian Scale for Guitar
Key of C • Locrian Scale
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Guitar fretboard showing C locrian scale. Notes: C, C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A#. Position: full.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
e
F
F#
G#
A#
C
C#
D#
F
F#
G#
A#
C
C#
B
C
C#
D#
F
F#
G#
A#
C
C#
D#
F
F#
G#
G
G#
A#
C
C#
D#
F
F#
G#
A#
C
C#
D#
F
D
D#
F
F#
G#
A#
C
C#
D#
F
F#
G#
A#
C
A
A#
C
C#
D#
F
F#
G#
A#
C
C#
D#
F
F#
E
F
F#
G#
A#
C
C#
D#
F
F#
G#
A#
C
C#
Tab Notation
e|----- 1---- 2---- 4---- 6---- 8---- 9----11----13----14----16----18----20----21-----|
B|----- 1---- 2---- 4---- 6---- 7---- 9----11----13----14----16----18----19----21-----|
G|----- 1---- 3---- 5---- 6---- 8----10----11----13----15----17----18----20----22-----|
D|----- 1---- 3---- 4---- 6---- 8----10----11----13----15----16----18----20----22-----|
A|----- 1---- 3---- 4---- 6---- 8---- 9----11----13----15----16----18----20----21-----|
E|----- 1---- 2---- 4---- 6---- 8---- 9----11----13----14----16----18----20----21-----|
Notes: C - C# - D# - F - 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.