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Locrian Mode – Definition
The Locrian mode is the seventh of the seven musical modes. It is distinguished by its diminished fifth, giving it a uniquely unstable harmonic character.
What is the Locrian Mode?
The Locrian mode is built from the seventh degree of a major scale. Its interval pattern is: root, minor second, minor third, perfect fourth, diminished fifth, minor sixth, and minor seventh.
Because its tonic triad is diminished, the Locrian mode creates more harmonic tension than the other modes. For this reason, it is used less frequently as the tonal center of an entire composition.
How is the Locrian Mode used in piano playing?
Pianists most often encounter the Locrian mode when improvising over half-diminished (m7♭5) chords, particularly in jazz. It is also used in modal music and occasionally in rock, metal, and film music to create a tense or unsettled atmosphere.
Studying the Locrian mode helps pianists understand modal harmony and expand their improvisational vocabulary beyond the major and minor scales.