Guitar scale
Bb Locrian Guitar Scale
Bb Locrian is a seven-note scale built from Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, and Ab. It is the 7th relative mode of B major. Use it to study the scale's notes, interval formula, and guitar fretboard positions.
- Notes
- Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab
- Formula
- 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7
- Semitones
- 0 1 3 5 6 8 10
- Parent scale
- B major
How to read this scale
The notes are shown as pitch classes first. Square markers representBb root notes in the fretboard view, while circular markers represent the other notes in the scale.
Use the interactive fretboard to locate the Bb root notes and connect the remaining locrian tones across standard tuning.
Sound and defining tones
Bb Locrian is defined by b2 (Cb) and b5 (Fb). The flat fifth prevents a stable minor tonic triad, and the flat second adds another strong tension directly above the root.
- Characteristic tones
- b2Cbb5Fb
Fretboard diagram
Open this scale in the fretboard tool
Start with Bb Locrian loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboardCommon chords and contexts
Use Bb Locrian over Bbm7b5 harmony, most often as the ii chord in a minor ii-V-i progression. Treat the chord tones as anchors because the root itself can sound unstable.
- Use Bb Locrian over Bbm7b5 or half-diminished chords.
- Its flat 2 and flat 5 make it tense, unstable, and most common in jazz or minor ii-V contexts.
Practice this scale on guitar
- Play Bb Locrian from one Bb root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and scale degree aloud.
- Outline the root, flat third, b2 (Cb) and b5 (Fb), and flat seventh as a half-diminished arpeggio before adding the remaining notes.
- Loop Bbm7b5 as a static chord and practice resolving the flat fifth by half step into a stable tone of the following dominant chord.