Locrian Mode
Unstable, dark, dissonant, unsettling
diminishedMetalAvant-GardeProgressive
Fretboard · A Locrian
A Locrian Mode
Unstable, diminished mode with flat 2nd and flat 5th
Root
Chord
Scale
Secondary
Other
13
620
1.0
0.71.5
About Locrian
The Locrian mode is the darkest and most unstable mode. With both a flat 2nd and flat 5th, it has a diminished quality that's rarely used as a tonal center but great for creating tension.
Key characteristics
- •Flat 2nd
- •Minor 3rd
- •Flat 5th (diminished 5th - the devil's interval!)
- •Extremely unstable, rarely used as tonal center
Famous examples
- Army of Me — Björk
- YYZ — Rush
Quick tips
- 1.Rarely used as a home base - the b5 makes it very unstable
- 2.Great for creating tension over diminished chords
- 3.Use strategically, not as your main scale
- 4.Perfect for unsettling, dark musical moments
Theory
Target notes
Emphasize these for the characteristic sound.
b5 (Flat 5th - embrace the tension)b2 (Flat 2nd)
Use carefully
Tension notes — resolve them.
The root as a stable point (it's not stable!)
Compared to the parent scale
The most altered mode - like natural minor with flat 2nd AND flat 5th. Very unstable.
Works over these chord types
Diminished
Practice progressions
Try improvising with Locrian over these progressions:
Use sparingly over diminished chords
All modes
Try it in Improvisio
Enter a progression and practice Locrian with real-time visualization.
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