How to Play a C Locrian Scale on Piano

Learning to play a C Locrian scale on piano requires that you shift your hand so that it is closer to the soundboard on the piano because of the high number and placement of black keys within the scale. C Locrian is the seventh mode of Db major. It has five flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb) and shares its key signature with Db major. You must play five black keys and two white keys, forcing you to keep your fingers curled and your wrist raised higher off of the keyboard than normal.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Practice with your right hand only. Place your thumb on C4 to start. Ascend a minor third interval through C, Db and Eb. Cross your thumb under your middle finger so that it lands on F4. Ascend the next perfect fifth interval through F, Gb, Ab, Bb and C natural. Your pinkie finger should land on C5 before you stop, one octave higher than the first pitch. This scale is somewhat similar to the pattern of C Aeolian and C Phrygian, and as such you must keep your wrist high so that your fingers don't collide with one another as you master your finger crossings.

2. Descend the C Locrian scale with your right hand. Beginning with your pinkie finger on C5, descend a perfect fifth interval through C, Bb, Ab, Gb and F natural. Cross your middle finger over your thumb to Eb4. Descend the last minor third interval through Eb, Db and C. Your thumb should now be on C4, the same note you started with. Avoid extending your fingers in a straight fashion; this will slow down the speed at which you can play the scale.

3. Focus on your left hand only now. Place your ring finger on C2 to begin. Ascend a perfect fourth interval through the notes C, Db, Eb and F natural. Cross your ring finger over your thumb to Gb2. Ascend the remaining diminished fifth interval through Gb, Ab, Bb and C natural. Your thumb should be the last to depress C3, one octave higher than the starting pitch.

4. Descend the C Locrian scale with your left hand. Beginning with your thumb on C3, descend a diminished fifth interval through C, Bb, Ab and Gb. Bring your thumb under your ring finger to F2. Descend the final perfect fourth interval through F, Eb, Db and C natural. Your ring finger should be in the same position when you started the scale.

5. Practice the C Locrian scale with both hands at the same time. Set your metronome to a starting tempo of no more than 65 beats per minute. As your left hand becomes more comfortable with the awkward finger positions on the black keys, slowly increase the tempo to no more than 155 beats per minute.