F locrian (F, G♭, A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭) has six flats in its key signature and its diminished 5th (C♭) creates maximum harmonic instability. It is used almost exclusively over Fm7♭5 chords in jazz and is one of the rarest diatonic keys. F locrian has a collapsing, impossible-to-resolve quality.
Locrian is the only mode with both a flattened 2nd and flattened 5th, creating a diminished tonic chord that resists resolution. These two intervals produce maximum harmonic instability — the sound of tension without release.
The seven diatonic modes — parallel modes starting from the same root with different interval patterns. Each mode has a unique character derived from the major scale.
The diatonic chords in F Locrian are: Fdim, Gb, Abm, Bbm, B, Db, Ebm. These are the chords built naturally from each degree of the scale.
What is the Locrian?
F locrian (F, G♭, A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭) has six flats in its key signature and its diminished 5th (C♭) creates maximum harmonic instability. It is used almost exclusively over Fm7♭5 chords in jazz and is one of the rarest diatonic keys. F locrian has a collapsing, impossible-to-resolve quality.
What notes are in the F Locrian?
The F Locrian contains the notes: F, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb. This is a 7-note scale starting from F.
How many chords does the F Locrian have?
The F Locrian produces 7 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: Fdim, Gb, Abm, Bbm, B, Db, Ebm.
What is the formula for the Locrian?
The Locrian follows the interval formula: H-W-W-H-W-W-W (W = whole step, H = half step).
Page detail levelSimple keeps pages short: extra theory and advanced controls stay tucked away until you open them. Everything shows every section and control at once.
Position in circle of fifths
F is at the 11 o'clock position. Related keys: C (dominant), Bb (subdominant), D (relative minor), G (supertonic), Eb (subtonic).