C Locrian Mode
Notes in the C Locrian Mode
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | C | 261.626 Hz |
| ♭2 | Phrygian 2nd | C# | 277.183 Hz |
| ♭3 | Minor Mediant | D# | 311.127 Hz |
| 4 | Subdominant | F | 349.228 Hz |
| ♭5 | Diminished 5th | F# | 369.994 Hz |
| ♭6 | Minor Submediant | G# | 415.305 Hz |
| ♭7 | Subtonic | A# | 466.164 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Half Step (H) | 1 | C | C# |
| 2 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | C# | D# |
| 3 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | D# | F |
| 4 | Half Step (H) | 1 | F | F# |
| 5 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | F# | G# |
| 6 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | G# | A# |
| 7 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | A# | C |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | C diminished | diminished |
| ♭2 | C# | C# | major |
| ♭3 | D# | D# minor | minor |
| 4 | F | F minor | minor |
| ♭5 | F# | F# | major |
| ♭6 | G# | G# | major |
| ♭7 | A# | A# minor | minor |
Key Signature
No sharps or flats — C Locrian Mode uses the same key signature as C major.
C Locrian Mode in Practice
The C Locrian Mode uses the key signature of no sharps or flats. C major is the simplest key signature with no sharps or flats. It is the starting point for music theory and the most widely studied key in Western music. On guitar, C 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| C# | 277.183 Hz | 278.437 Hz | 279.067 Hz |
| D# | 311.127 Hz | 309.026 Hz | 313.951 Hz |
| F | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
| F# | 369.994 Hz | 371.251 Hz | 367.911 Hz |
| G# | 415.305 Hz | 417.657 Hz | 418.601 Hz |
| A# | 466.164 Hz | 463.538 Hz | 470.926 Hz |
Related Scales
Guitar: C Locrian Mode Positions
The C key offers open-string resonance (no sharps or flats) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like C are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.
Piano: C Locrian Mode
C major is the foundational key for piano study — all white keys, no black keys in the major scale. Every piano method book begins here. The Locrian Mode in C remains the most-studied scale pattern for establishing keyboard geography and finger positioning.