B Locrian Mode
Notes in the B Locrian Mode
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | B | 493.883 Hz |
| ♭2 | Phrygian 2nd | C | 261.626 Hz |
| ♭3 | Minor Mediant | D | 293.665 Hz |
| 4 | Subdominant | E | 329.628 Hz |
| ♭5 | Diminished 5th | F | 349.228 Hz |
| ♭6 | Minor Submediant | G | 391.995 Hz |
| ♭7 | Subtonic | A | 440.000 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Half Step (H) | 1 | B | C |
| 2 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | C | D |
| 3 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | D | E |
| 4 | Half Step (H) | 1 | E | F |
| 5 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | F | G |
| 6 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | G | A |
| 7 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | A | B |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | B diminished | diminished |
| ♭2 | C | C | major |
| ♭3 | D | D minor | minor |
| 4 | E | E minor | minor |
| ♭5 | F | F | major |
| ♭6 | G | G | major |
| ♭7 | A | A minor | minor |
Key Signature
5 ♯ — The B key signature uses F#, C#, G#, D#, A#.
B Locrian Mode in Practice
The B Locrian Mode uses the key signature of 5 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#). B major has five sharps and a bright, somewhat tense quality. Enharmonically equivalent to Cb major, it is used in orchestral writing and some jazz compositions. On guitar, B positions offer open-string resonance for fingering positions for this scale.
The Locrian mode is the darkest and most dissonant of all modes, featuring a flat 2nd and flat 5th. It is rarely used melodically but appears in jazz as the basis for half-diminished harmony.
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | 493.883 Hz | 495.000 Hz | 490.548 Hz |
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| D | 293.665 Hz | 293.332 Hz | 294.329 Hz |
| E | 329.628 Hz | 330.001 Hz | 327.032 Hz |
| F | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
| G | 391.995 Hz | 391.111 Hz | 392.438 Hz |
| A | 440.000 Hz | 440.000 Hz | 436.043 Hz |
Related Scales
Guitar: B Locrian Mode Positions
The B key offers 5 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like B are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.