B Locrian Piano Scale
Piano scale diagramAdvanced
B Locrian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The B Locrian scale is the seventh and most unstable mode of the major scale. On Piano, the notes are B, C, D, E, F, G, A. It sounds highly dissonant and unresolved, as its home chord is a diminished triad. While rare as a primary key, it is a crucial technical tool for jazz musicians improvising over half-diminished chords in tension-heavy passages. The diatonic chords of B Locrian are Bm7b5, CMaj7, Dm7, Em7, FMaj7, G7, Am7. Commonly used in Jazz, Metal, Experimental, Avant-Garde. Notable players include John Coltrane, Meshuggah, Dream Theater. Use over m7b5 (half-diminished) chords. Essential for jazz ii-V-i in minor keys where the ii chord is half-diminished.
Notes: B, C, D, E, F, G, A
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3m, 4P, 5d, 6m, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Formula: H-W-W-H-W-W-W
Number of notes: 7
Diatonic Chords
Bm7♭5 — CMaj7 — Dm7 — Em7 — FMaj7 — G7 — Am7
Musical Character
The only mode with a diminished 5th (b5) from the root, making its home chord a diminished triad. This instability means Locrian is almost never used as a key center — it is a tool for tension.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Jazz, Metal, Experimental, Avant-Garde
Notable players: John Coltrane, Meshuggah, Dream Theater
How to Use the B Locrian Scale
Use over m7b5 (half-diminished) chords. Essential for jazz ii-V-i in minor keys where the ii chord is half-diminished.
Origin & Background
Named after the Locrians of ancient Greece. Considered 'unusable' for centuries until jazz musicians found its purpose over half-diminished chords.
How to Play B Locrian on Piano
On piano, the B Locrian 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 scale uses no sharps or flats, consisting entirely of natural notes. Its relative major is D major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 100 BPM and play the B Locrian scale in groups of four notes, shifting the starting note each repetition. This builds muscle memory across the entire scale range. After a week, try improvising short 4-bar phrases using only these notes.
Try these progressions with the B Locrian scale: Bm7b5 - Em7 - FMaj7 - Bm7b5 (I-IV-V-I) or Bm7b5 - CMaj7 - Em7 - FMaj7 for a more stepwise movement. This scale is especially effective in metal contexts.
Piano Tips
On piano, practice the B Locrian scale hands together in contrary motion (one hand ascending, the other descending). This builds independence and strengthens your awareness of the scale's symmetry. Aim for a unstable quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
Locrian is the 7th mode of the Major scale. View B Major scale
The B Locrian scale contains 7 notes (B, C, D, E, F, G, A). Use the interactive piano diagram above to explore this scale on Piano.