What are the diatonic chords of C Locrian?

The diatonic chords of C Locrian are built by harmonizing each degree of the scale in thirds. The scale degrees are 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 ♭5 ♭6 ♭7 and the intervals are H-W-W-H-W-W-W. The triads are: Cdim, DbM, Ebm, Fm, GbM, AbM, Bbm.

What is scale harmonization?

Scale harmonization is the process of building chords from each degree of a scale by stacking thirds. Each note of the scale becomes the root of a chord, producing a set of diatonic chords (triads and seventh chords) that naturally belong to that key.

What is Practice Mode in the Scale Harmonizer?

Practice Mode is an interactive study tool that cycles through all diatonic chords with a synchronized fretboard visualization (switch between scale and arpeggio view), adjustable tempo (40–240 BPM), and audio playback. It includes ii-V-I progressions and secondary dominant exercises — the fretboard automatically shows the contextually correct scale for each chord (e.g., Dorian for the ii, Mixolydian for the V7).

C locrian chords

All ukulele chords for the C locrian scale

Show scale diagram ↓

Chord Voicings

Harmony

Originalii–V–ISec. Dom.

Display

FingerNoteDegree

Fretboard

ScaleArpeggio

C locrian scale diatonic chords

IC dim

IIC♯ major

IIIE♭ minor

IVF minor

VF♯ major

VIA♭ major

VIIB♭ minor

C locrian scale seventh chords

IC m7♭5

IIC♯ maj7

IIIE♭ m7

IVF m7

VF♯ maj7

VIA♭ 7

VIIB♭ m7

scale

Ukulele fretboard diagram

C locrian scale — ukulele chords and intervals

The harmonized C locrian scale generates the most unstable chord family of all the modes, with a diminished tonic chord that provides no sense of rest. This makes Locrian harmony a specialized tool for creating extreme tension. The chords of C locrian are Cm7b5, DbMaj7, Ebm7, Fm7, GbMaj7, Ab7, Bbm7. In practice, Locrian chords are used over half-diminished passages in jazz rather than as a standalone key. The i°-bII movement creates a restless, searching quality useful for transitional sections and building suspense. Commonly used in Jazz, Metal, Experimental, Avant-Garde. Notable players include John Coltrane, Meshuggah, Dream Theater.

The C locrian scale has the following degrees: 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 ♭5 ♭6 ♭7.

Intervals: H-W-W-H-W-W-W.

Diatonic chords: Cm7b5, DbMaj7, Ebm7, Fm7, GbMaj7, Ab7, Bbm7.

Degrees	Chord
I	Cm7b5
ii	DbMaj7
iii	Ebm7
IV	Fm7
V	GbMaj7
vi	Ab7
vii°	Bbm7

Degree-by-Degree Analysis

The I chord (Cm7b5) is the tonic — the gravitational center of the key. The ii chord (DbMaj7) is the minor subdominant, commonly used to approach the V chord. The iii chord (Ebm7) functions as a substitute for the I or vi. The IV chord (Fm7) is the subdominant — it adds motion and moderate tension. The V chord (GbMaj7) is the dominant — it creates the strongest tension that wants to resolve to the I. The vi chord (Ab7) is the relative minor — it brings emotional color and depth. The vii° chord (Bbm7) is the diminished — the most tense, rarely used alone, usually leading to the I.

This page focuses on the harmonic content — the chords built from each degree of the C locrian scale. For fretboard patterns and fingering guides, see the scale page.

Use the interactive harmonizer above to explore triads, seventh chords, and chord voicings for composing with the C locrian scale on ukulele.

locrian is the 7th mode of the Major scale. View C Major scale

Related Scales

How to Use This Scale

Use over m7b5 (half-diminished) chords. Essential for jazz ii-V-i in minor keys where the ii chord is half-diminished.