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#, A, B, C, E. 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#, A, B, C, E
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 1 black key. 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 1 sharp (F#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the F# Locrian Pentatonic 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.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in F#. Try a F#5 - C5 - E5 progression.
Piano Tips
On piano, practice the F# Locrian Pentatonic 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 F# Locrian Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (F#, A, B, C, E). Use the interactive piano diagram above to explore this scale on Piano.