B locrian uses B, C, D, E, F, G, A. Its root sits at fret 4 on the low string, leaving open strings mostly outside the scale.
B locrian uses B, C, D, E, F, G, A. Its root sits at fret 4 on the low string, leaving open strings mostly outside the scale.
B locrian is the seventh mode of C major, built as 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7. It lowers the fifth of B phrygian, creating a diminished tonic triad. The scale’s half-step opening and tritone against the root produce its unstable colour.
Use B locrian over B minor 7th flat 5th or B diminished chords in minor-key turnarounds. It suits tense jazz passages and metal riffs that need a half-step lead-in. Try it over B minor 7th flat 5th or B diminished.
Learn Box 1 first. It places the root on strings 4 and 1 and covers frets 0–3 for quick low-position runs.
B locrian in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 2.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 3 (C) | 0, 2 | C, D |
| 2 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
B locrian in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 11 notes across 4 strings, from D on the C string at fret 2 up to D on the A string at fret 5. The root falls on the G string at fret 4 and the A string at fret 2.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 4, 5 | A, B, C |
| 3 (C) | 2, 4, 5 | D, E, F |
| 2 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 1 (A) | 2, 3, 5 | B, C, D |
B locrian in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E on the C string at fret 4 up to E on the A string at fret 7. The root falls on the G string at fret 4 and the E string at fret 7.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 5, 7 | B, C, D |
| 3 (C) | 4, 5, 7 | E, F, G |
| 2 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 1 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
B locrian in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 11 notes across 4 strings, from G on the C string at fret 7 up to G on the A string at fret 10. The root falls on the E string at fret 7.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7, 9, 10 | D, E, F |
| 3 (C) | 7, 9 | G, A |
| 2 (E) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
| 1 (A) | 7, 8, 10 | E, F, G |
B locrian in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 10 notes across 4 strings, from A on the C string at fret 9 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the C string at fret 11.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 10, 12 | E, F, G |
| 3 (C) | 9, 11, 12 | A, B, C |
| 2 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 1 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
Every chord here uses only notes from the scale. Tap one to open it.
B, C, D, E, F, G, and A. The scale has a half step between B and C, and a tritone between B and F. It is the seventh mode of C major.
B minor 7th flat 5th and B diminished are the primary chords. The scale also works over C major and D minor in passing. Use it where the harmony implies a diminished tonic.
The flattened fifth creates a tritone with the root. Combined with the flattened second, the scale lacks a perfect fifth. This makes it hard to resolve and gives a dark, tense quality.