C# Locrian Piano Scale
Piano scale diagram
C# Locrian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C# Locrian scale is the seventh and most unstable mode of the major scale. On Piano, the notes are C#, D, E, F#, G, A, B. 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 C# Locrian are C#m7b5, DMaj7, Em7, F#m7, GMaj7, A7, Bm7. 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: C#, D, E, F#, G, A, B
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
C♯m7♭5 — DMaj7 — Em7 — F♯m7 — GMaj7 — A7 — Bm7
How to Play C# Locrian on Piano
On piano, the C# Locrian scale uses 2 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 scale contains 2 sharps (C#, F#). Its relative major is E major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Practice the C# Locrian scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 80 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 7 notes of the scale.
Try these progressions with the C# Locrian scale: C#m7b5 - F#m7 - GMaj7 - C#m7b5 (I-IV-V-I) or C#m7b5 - DMaj7 - F#m7 - GMaj7 for a more stepwise movement.
Piano Tips
On piano, practice the C# 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.
The C# Locrian scale contains 7 notes (C#, D, E, F#, G, A, B). Use the interactive piano diagram above to explore this scale on Piano.