C Locrian Major Piano Scale
Piano scale diagramAdvanced
C Locrian Major Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C Locrian Major scale is a 20th-century hybrid that combines the stability of a major third with the dissonance of a Locrian base. On Piano, it contains the notes C, D, E, F, Gb, Ab, Bb. It was used by experimental composers to create a sound that is both familiar and alien. Commonly used in Experimental, Contemporary Classical, Avant-Garde. Notable players include Bela Bartok, Gyorgy Ligeti. Use in experimental composition over polytonal or atonal passages. A tool for creating cognitive dissonance.
Notes: C, D, E, F, Gb, Ab, Bb
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 4P, 5d, 6m, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5 b6 b7
Formula: W-W-H-H-W-W-W
Number of notes: 7
Also known as: arabian
Musical Character
A major 3rd within a Locrian framework — the contradiction creates a sound that is both familiar (major) and alien (b2, b5) simultaneously.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Experimental, Contemporary Classical, Avant-Garde
Notable players: Bela Bartok, Gyorgy Ligeti
How to Use the C Locrian Major Scale
Use in experimental composition over polytonal or atonal passages. A tool for creating cognitive dissonance.
Origin & Background
A 20th-century synthetic scale used by experimental composers to create sounds that defy tonal expectations.
How to Play C Locrian Major on Piano
On piano, the C Locrian Major scale uses 3 black keys. Start with your thumb on C and use the black keys as landmarks for consistent finger placement. Standard major or minor fingering patterns apply.
The C Locrian Major scale contains 3 flats (Gb, Ab, Bb). Its relative major is E major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 100 BPM and play the C Locrian Major 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.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on C to let the characteristic intervals of the Locrian Major scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in contemporary classical contexts.
Piano Tips
On piano, practice the C Locrian Major 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 alien quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
The C Locrian Major scale contains 7 notes (C, D, E, F, Gb, Ab, Bb). Use the interactive piano diagram above to explore this scale on Piano.