Looking for something dark, dissonant, and dangerously different from the usual major or minor scales? Meet the B Locrian scale — the most exotic and misunderstood mode in modern music.
Often labeled “unusable” by beginners, this scale is actually a powerful tool for creating tension, mystery, and metal-inspired riffs. Once you know how to tame it, B Locrian can open a new world of sound.
What Is the B Locrian Scale?
The B Locrian scale is the 7th mode of the C major scale, meaning it contains all the same notes, but starts from B:
B – C – D – E – F – G – A
What makes it stand out is its flattened 2nd and 5th:
- Flat 2nd (C)
- Flat 5th (F)
These intervals give it an unstable, dark, and dissonant character — perfect for metal, progressive rock, and experimental soundscapes.
🎸 Want to visualize how B Locrian looks on the fretboard?
Try it now in my interactive scale viewer.
Why Learn the B Locrian Scale?
1. It’s a Gateway to Dark, Dissonant Riffs
B Locrian is one of the best scales for writing:
- Doomy or evil metal riffs
- Tense cinematic soundtracks
- Experimental, atonal solos
It’s used by artists like Dream Theater, Tool, and even in orchestral horror music. If you're after a sound that makes people uneasy—in a good way—Locrian is the tool.
2. It Challenges Your Ears and Creativity
Because it contains a flat 5th (also known as the tritone or “devil’s interval”), it forces you to think outside the box. It won’t work over your average rock chord progression — but that’s the point.
This is a scale for building intensity, suspense, and avant-garde textures.
⚡ Ready to break out of predictable playing?
Open the B Locrian scale in my scale viewer and explore.
3. It Strengthens Your Modal Understanding
Learning how and when to use Locrian teaches you modal theory in real musical context. It forces you to ask:
- What chords does this scale fit?
- What emotional effect does it create?
- How do I resolve tension when the scale has no true "home" chord?
That deeper understanding will level up all your playing — not just when using B Locrian.
How to Use the B Locrian Scale
Try It Over a B Diminished or Bm7b5 Chord
B Locrian works best when the harmony supports its inherent instability. Try these chord types:
- Bm7b5 (B – D – F – A)
- B diminished
- Chord progressions like Bm7b5 → C major
You’ll hear that dark, unstable vibe right away — perfect for cinematic or progressive writing.
Final Thoughts
The B Locrian scale may not be your go-to for every solo, but it’s an essential mode for advanced guitarists looking to add darkness, drama, and unpredictability to their sound.
Use it to write evil metal riffs, film music, or just stretch your ear into new territory.
🔍 Want to master the full fretboard view of B Locrian?
Check it out in my interactive scale viewer and start experimenting.