C# Locrian
A minor diatonic mode with a minor 2nd and diminished 5th above the tonic; its tonic triad is unstable.
Octaves
Musical context
How the scale relates to the chord, mode, key and progression.
Theory
General info
- Name
- C# Locrian
- Family
- Diatonic scales
- Note count
- 7
- Step formula
- H – W – W – H – W – W – W
- Numeric formula
- 0-1-2-2-1-2-2-2
Notes & degrees
1C#root
b2Dminor 2nd
b3Eminor 3rd
4F#perfect 4th
b5Gdim 5th
b6Aminor 6th
b7Bminor 7th
Construction
- Overview
- A minor diatonic mode with a minor 2nd and diminished 5th above the tonic; its tonic triad is unstable.
- Application in music
- Pairs with m7b5 chords. Its diminished tonic triad makes the tonal centre difficult to establish.
- Interval formula
- C#HDWEWF#HGWAWB
Chords by degree
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IC#nominal centretonic
IIIEdefines modal qualitythird
Typical resolutions & tensions
IIIEE
IVF#F#
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IC#C#
IIDD
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This scale on guitar 🎸
See how C# Locrian looks on guitar.
Circle of fifths
The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.
Connections
Practice
Keyboard Trainer
Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.