B Locrian Pentatonic Piano Scale
Piano scale diagram
B Locrian Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The B Locrian Pentatonic scale is an unstable and mysterious scale used to evoke tension and ambiguity. On Piano, its notes are B, D, E, F, A. It is often found in experimental music and certain Indian Ragas, providing a dissonant, outside sound that is perfect for dark, avant-garde, or high-tension compositions. Commonly used in Jazz, Fusion, Experimental, Progressive. Notable players include John Scofield, Kurt Rosenwinkel. Use over m7b5 (half-diminished) chords. Essential for jazz solos over ii chords in minor ii-V-i progressions.
Notes: B, D, E, F, A
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5d, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 b5
Formula: WH-W-H-4-W
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: minor seven flat five pentatonic
How to Play B Locrian Pentatonic on Piano
On piano, the B Locrian Pentatonic scale uses 0 black keys. Playing entirely on white keys, this is one of the most physically comfortable scales to learn. Use the standard 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 fingering for the right hand.
The B Locrian Pentatonic scale uses no sharps or flats, consisting entirely of natural notes. This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the B Locrian Pentatonic scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (B-E, D-F) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in B. Try a B5 - F5 - A5 progression.
Piano Tips
At the piano, try voicing the B Locrian Pentatonic scale in the left hand as blocked intervals (thirds or sixths) while the right hand plays the melody. This develops your harmonic ear and comping skills simultaneously.
The B Locrian Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (B, D, E, F, A). Use the interactive piano diagram above to explore this scale on Piano.