Locrian Mode

The most dissonant, unstable mode — the tonic chord is diminished (b5), making a true Locrian tonal center rare. Used for color and passing harmony. Built from the 7th degree of the major scale, its step pattern is H – W – W – H – W – W – W; from B the notes are B – C – D – E – F – G – A. b2, b3, b5, b6, and b7 compared to major — five lowered degrees. The b5 diminishes the tonic triad, removing any sense of rest or resolution.