Explore scales · Guitar
B locrian scale on guitar
B locrian contains B, C, D, E, F, G, and A. Box 1 spans frets 0–3 with roots on string 5 fret 2 and string 3 fret 4.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the B locrian scale on guitar?
B locrian in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 17 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 2 and the B string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 1, 3 | B, C, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
B locrian in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 13 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 5 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 3 (G) | 4, 5 | B, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5, 6 | D, E, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5 | G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
B locrian in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 16 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the low E string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7, 8 | D, E, F |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 6, 8 | E, F, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
B locrian in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 17 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the low E string at fret 7, the D string at fret 9 and the high e string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 8, 10 | E, F, G |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9, 10 | D, E, F |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10 | G, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
B locrian in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 15 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to F on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the B string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 3 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12, 13 | A, B, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
Why it sounds like that
B locrian is the seventh mode of C major, built as 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7. Its half-step pattern is H, W, W, H, W, W, W. Lower the fifth of B phrygian to get the ♭5. The tonic chord is B minor 7th flat 5th.
When to use it
B locrian fits B minor 7th flat 5th and B diminished chords. Use it over half-diminished progressions in jazz, metal riffs, and dark ambient lines. Pair with B minor 7th flat 5th or B diminished.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root on string 5 fret 2 and covers frets 0–3, setting up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in B locrian?
B locrian contains B, C, D, E, F, G, and A. The intervals are 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7. Its half-step pattern is H, W, W, H, W, W, W.
What chords does B locrian fit?
B locrian fits B minor 7th flat 5th and B diminished chords. The tonic chord is B minor 7th flat 5th. Use it over half-diminished progressions.
How does B locrian differ from B phrygian?
B locrian lowers the fifth of B phrygian from F♯ to F. This creates the ♭5 interval that defines the locrian sound. The rest of the notes are identical.