The Locrian Mode

The Locrian mode is the most unstable and dissonant of all the church modes. Often described as "difficult" or "unsettling," it challenges traditional notions of tonality and creates a sense of extreme tension that never fully resolves. Despite its rarity in traditional music, the Locrian mode has become increasingly important in modern composition, jazz, and experimental music.

Construction of the Locrian Mode

The Locrian mode is built by starting on the seventh degree of the major scale. For example:

B Locrian (from C Major scale):

• B (root)
• C (flat 2nd)
• D (minor 3rd)
• Eb (perfect 4th)
• F (diminished 5th)
• Gb (minor 6th)
• Ab (minor 7th)
• B (octave)

Compare this to B Natural Minor:

• B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A, B

The key differences are the flat 2nd (C instead of C#) and diminished 5th (F instead of F#).

Locrian Mode Formula

The Locrian mode can be constructed using this interval pattern:

• Root
• Flat 2nd
• Minor 3rd
• Perfect 4th
• Diminished 5th
• Minor 6th
• Minor 7th

This formula applies to any root note. For example:

• C Locrian: C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb
• D Locrian: D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C
• F Locrian: F, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb

Characteristic Sound

The Locrian mode's signature sound comes from two key elements:

1. The diminished 5th above the root - This creates extreme dissonance and instability
2. The flat 2nd - This adds additional tension and chromatic complexity

This combination creates a sound that's:

• Extremely dissonant and unstable (due to the diminished 5th)
• Tense and unresolved (due to the flat 2nd and minor intervals)
• Avant-garde and experimental (due to its challenging nature)
• Ritualistic and mysterious (due to its otherworldly quality)

Locrian in Different Keys

Common Locrian Keys and Their Relative Majors

| Locrian Root | Relative Major | Common Usage | |--------------|----------------|--------------| | B Locrian | C Major | Most common, experimental music | | C Locrian | Db Major | Avant-garde jazz, contemporary | | F Locrian | Gb Major | Experimental rock, fusion | | Bb Locrian | B Major | Contemporary classical | | Eb Locrian | E Major | Avant-garde, experimental |

Musical Applications

In Avant-Garde and Experimental Music

Locrian is perfect for creating unsettling, otherworldly atmospheres:

• Used in experimental compositions and sound design
• Creates extreme tension and dissonance
• Perfect for horror, suspense, and abstract musical concepts

In Jazz and Fusion

• Used in free jazz and avant-garde compositions
• Creates sophisticated, challenging harmonic landscapes
• Often used over diminished 7th chords

In Metal and Progressive Rock

• Used in progressive metal and experimental rock
• Creates dark, intense atmospheres
• Perfect for complex, technical compositions

Chord Progressions in Locrian

Basic Locrian Progressions

i° - bII - i° (Locrian):

• Bdim - Cmaj7 - Bdim (in B Locrian)
• Creates an extremely dissonant, unresolved sound

i° - iv - bVII - i° (Locrian):

• Bdim - Em - A7 - Bdim
• Creates complex harmonic movement

i° - bVI - bIII - i° (Locrian):

• Bdim - Gmaj7 - D#dim - Bdim
• Creates sophisticated, avant-garde progressions

Modal Interchange with Locrian

Borrow chords from the parallel major scale:

• In B Locrian, borrow from B major
• Common borrowed chords: Bmaj7, C#dim7, D#m7b5
• Creates interesting harmonic colors

Improvisation with Locrian

Scale Patterns

When improvising over Locrian harmony:

1. Use the full Locrian scale - All 7 notes provide the characteristic sound
2. Emphasize the diminished 5th - This interval defines the Locrian sound
3. Target chord tones - Focus on 3rds and 7ths of the underlying chords
4. Use chromatic approach notes - Add tension with notes outside the scale

Common Locrian Licks

Basic Locrian lick (B Locrian):

B - C - D - Eb - F - Gb - Ab - Gb - F - Eb - D - C - B

With diminished 5th emphasis:

F - Gb - F - Eb - D - C - B - C - D - Eb - F - Gb - Ab - Gb - F - Eb - D - C - B

Avant-garde Locrian line:

B - Ab - Gb - F - Eb - D - C - B - C - D - Eb - F - Gb - Ab - B

Listening Examples

Avant-Garde and Experimental

• John Coltrane's "Ascension" - Locrian/modal sections
• Ornette Coleman's free jazz - Locrian passages
• Contemporary experimental music - Locrian elements

Metal and Progressive

• Dream Theater's complex compositions - Locrian passages
• King Crimson's experimental rock - Locrian elements
• Avant-garde metal bands - Locrian harmony

Classical and Contemporary

• Modern classical compositions - Locrian passages
• Film scores for horror/suspense - Locrian atmospheres
• Contemporary art music - Locrian elements

Locrian vs. Other Modes

Locrian vs. Phrygian

• Locrian: Flat 2nd, minor 3rd, diminished 5th
• Phrygian: Flat 2nd, minor 3rd, perfect 5th
• Difference: Locrian has diminished 5th, Phrygian has perfect 5th
• Use: Locrian for extreme dissonance, Phrygian for exotic tension

Locrian vs. Diminished Scale

• Locrian: 7-note mode with specific intervallic structure
• Diminished: 8-note scale with alternating whole/half steps
• Difference: Locrian has fixed root, diminished is symmetrical
• Use: Locrian for modal harmony, diminished for chromatic passages

Advanced Concepts

Locrian with Alterations

Add alterations for more sophisticated sounds:

• Locrian b6: B, C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab
• Locrian #2: B, C#, D, Eb, F, Gb, Ab
• Creates even more complex, avant-garde sounds

Super Locrian Scale

Combine Locrian with alterations:

• B Super Locrian: B, C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab
• Used in jazz over altered dominant chords

Locrian in Serial and Atonal Music

• Used in 12-tone compositions
• Creates extreme dissonance in atonal contexts
• Foundation for experimental harmonic language

Practice Exercises

Ear Training

1. Mode Identification: Listen to Locrian vs. other modes
2. Interval Recognition: Practice identifying the diminished 5th in Locrian context
3. Chord Function: Learn to hear Locrian over diminished chords

Technical Practice

1. Scale Practice: Play Locrian scales in all keys
2. Chord Arpeggios: Practice arpeggios of diminished 7th chords
3. Melodic Development: Create melodies using Locrian mode

Composition

1. Melody Writing: Write melodies using Locrian mode
2. Harmony: Create chord progressions using diminished chords
3. Arrangement: Arrange existing pieces in Locrian mode

Key Takeaways

• Locrian mode is constructed from the 7th degree of the major scale
• Its signature sound comes from the diminished 5th and flat 2nd
• Essential for avant-garde, experimental, and contemporary music
• Creates extreme dissonance and instability
• Most challenging mode to use effectively in traditional contexts

Mastering the Locrian mode unlocks the ability to create truly avant-garde and experimental musical expressions. Its extreme dissonance makes it a powerful tool for composers seeking to push the boundaries of tonality and create truly unique sonic landscapes.