F Locrian Pentatonic Piano Scale
Piano scale diagram
F Locrian Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The F Locrian Pentatonic scale is an unstable and mysterious scale used to evoke tension and ambiguity. On Piano, its notes are F, Ab, Bb, B, Eb. 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: F, Ab, Bb, B, Eb
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 F Locrian Pentatonic on Piano
On piano, the F Locrian Pentatonic scale uses 3 black keys. Start with your thumb on F and use the black keys as landmarks for consistent finger placement. Standard major or minor fingering patterns apply.
The F Locrian Pentatonic scale contains 3 flats (Ab, Bb, Eb). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Practice the F Locrian Pentatonic 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 5 notes of the scale.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in F. Try a F5 - B5 - Eb5 progression.
Piano Tips
At the piano, try voicing the F 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 F Locrian Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (F, Ab, Bb, B, Eb). Use the interactive piano diagram above to explore this scale on Piano.