F♯ Locrian Mode
Notes in the F♯ Locrian Mode
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | F♯ | 369.994 Hz |
| ♭2 | Phrygian 2nd | G | 391.995 Hz |
| ♭3 | Minor Mediant | A | 440.000 Hz |
| 4 | Subdominant | B | 493.883 Hz |
| ♭5 | Diminished 5th | C | 261.626 Hz |
| ♭6 | Minor Submediant | D | 293.665 Hz |
| ♭7 | Subtonic | E | 329.628 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Half Step (H) | 1 | F♯ | G |
| 2 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | G | A |
| 3 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | A | B |
| 4 | Half Step (H) | 1 | B | C |
| 5 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | C | D |
| 6 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | D | E |
| 7 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | E | F♯ |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F♯ | F♯ diminished | diminished |
| ♭2 | G | G | major |
| ♭3 | A | A minor | minor |
| 4 | B | B minor | minor |
| ♭5 | C | C | major |
| ♭6 | D | D | major |
| ♭7 | E | E minor | minor |
Key Signature
6 ♯ — The F♯ key signature uses F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯.
F♯ Locrian Mode in Practice
The F♯ Locrian Mode uses the key signature of 6 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯). F# major has six sharps and is enharmonically equivalent to Gb major. It is used when a sharp key is preferred over the flat alternative in notation. On guitar, F♯ 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. When played starting on F♯, the 7 notes are F♯, G, A, B, C, D, E. In this key the signature has 6 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯). F# major uses all five black keys plus E# and B#, making it one of the most enharmonically complex keys on keyboard instruments. In modern pop and electronic music, F# appears frequently because digital instruments have no ergonomic preference, and producers choose it for its distinctive brightness.
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| F♯ | 369.994 Hz | 371.251 Hz | 367.911 Hz |
| G | 391.995 Hz | 391.111 Hz | 392.438 Hz |
| A | 440.000 Hz | 440.000 Hz | 436.043 Hz |
| 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 |
Related Scales
Guitar: F♯ Locrian Mode Positions
The F♯ key offers 6 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like F♯ are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.