All Modes
Degree VII

Locrian Mode

Diminished & Dissonant, Tense & Unstable

Interval Formula
H W W H W W W
C 1
Db 2
Eb 3
F 4
Gb 5
Ab 6
Bb 7
C

Overview

Locrian is the rarest and most dissonant of the seven modes. It features a diminished tonic chord (i°), the only mode where the root triad is diminished rather than major or minor. The lowered 2nd and lowered 5th (tritone from root) make it nearly impossible to establish a stable tonal center, which is why it's used sparingly.

The most striking feature of Locrian is its diminished 5th above the root, creating a tritone relationship that the ear finds impossible to fully resolve. Medieval theorists called the tritone "diabolus in musica" (the devil in music). In modern use, Locrian appears in jazz as the mode for the viiø7 (half-diminished) chord in minor harmony. Steve Vai and other prog/metal guitarists have explored Locrian for its extreme tension and dissonance.

Pro Tip: Locrian is most practical as a theoretical construct. In practice, composers use it briefly for tension before resolving to a more stable mode.

Famous Examples

  • YYZ (intro riff) by Rush
  • Army of Darkness theme by Danny Elfman
  • Half Step (jazz standard) by Various
  • Diablo Video Game Music by Matt Uelmen

Characteristic Chord Progression

i° – bII – i°
In B: Bdim – C major – Bdim

Common Genres

MetalJazzAvant-gardeFilm Horror Scores

Visualize Locrian Mode

See Locrian highlighted on a piano keyboard. Change the root note to explore all 12 keys.

Mode Ionian
Root C
Character Bright & Major
Scale Notes
Interval Pattern