E Bebop Locrian Piano Scale
Piano scale diagramAdvanced
E Bebop Locrian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The E Bebop Locrian scale is a modern bebop variation designed for half-diminished chords. On Piano, the notes are E, F, G, A, Bb, B, C, D. It provides a chromatic bridge that helps musicians maintain rhythmic momentum while soloing over highly dissonant and difficult chord changes. Commonly used in Modern Jazz, Post-Bop, Fusion. Notable players include John Coltrane, Woody Shaw, Steve Coleman. Use over m7b5 chords. Maintains bebop rhythmic alignment in the most dissonant harmonic context.
Notes: E, F, G, A, Bb, B, C, D
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3m, 4P, 5d, 5P, 6m, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 b3 4 5 6 b7 b8
Formula: H-W-W-H-H-H-W-W
Number of notes: 8
Musical Character
A chromatic bridge added to the Locrian mode for maintaining rhythmic momentum over half-diminished chords — the most challenging bebop scale.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Modern Jazz, Post-Bop, Fusion
Notable players: John Coltrane, Woody Shaw, Steve Coleman
How to Use the E Bebop Locrian Scale
Use over m7b5 chords. Maintains bebop rhythmic alignment in the most dissonant harmonic context.
Origin & Background
A modern bebop extension for navigating half-diminished chord changes with the same fluidity as standard bebop scales.
How to Play E Bebop Locrian on Piano
On piano, the E Bebop Locrian scale uses 1 black key. Start with your thumb on E and use the black keys as landmarks for consistent finger placement. Standard major or minor fingering patterns apply.
The E Bebop Locrian scale contains 1 flat (Bb). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Practice the E Bebop Locrian scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 100 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 8 notes of the scale.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on E to let the characteristic intervals of the Bebop Locrian scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in fusion contexts.
Piano Tips
At the piano, try voicing the E Bebop Locrian 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. Aim for a complex quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
Bebop Locrian is the Locrian with added chromatic passing tone. View E Locrian scale
The E Bebop Locrian scale contains 8 notes (E, F, G, A, Bb, B, C, D). Use the interactive piano diagram above to explore this scale on Piano.