Locrian

Locrian — a Reg(ressive) tonality and regular diatonic heptatonality

Harmonic visuals

2a-4-12
2a-4-07
2a-4-08
2a-4-09
2a-4-10
2a-4-11
2a-4-13
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular – 2020-05 – 12
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular – 2020-05 – 07
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular – 2020-05 – 08
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular – 2020-05 – 09
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular – 2020-05 – 10
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular – 2020-05 – 11
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular – 2020-05 – 13
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Tonalibus 2a-4 regular - 2020-05 - 12
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular - 2020-05 - 07
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular - 2020-05 - 08
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular - 2020-05 - 09
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular - 2020-05 - 10
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular - 2020-05 - 11
Tonalibus 2a-4 regular - 2020-05 - 13
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Scale and sound samples

1) Locrian — plain scale — 12 seconds
2) Locrian — embellished scale — 14 seconds
3) Locrian — short sound sample — 26 seconds

You may enjoy a sound sample or tonality loop as sound mantra for contemplation or meditation, for upliftment and focusing, or simply as soothing background sound for relaxation and regeneration.

Characteristics

  • Diatonic tonality matrix: The octave includes five whole steps and two half steps (or semitones). Either two or three consecutive whole steps, a pair and a trio, alternate in separating the two individual half steps from each other.
  • Step pattern: Ascending from the fundamental (tonic or Do), Locrian begins with a half step that leads to the pair of whole steps. Then follows the second half step; and the trio of whole steps leads up to the octave.
  • Scale intervals: Minor second, minor third, quart, tritone, minor sixth, and minor seventh.
  • Penta- and tetrachords: The lower pentachord and the upper tertachord are both Locrian.
  • Harmonic axes: There is one axis, which is vertical, N-S.
  • Primary harmonic anchors: The fundamental or North anchor is incomplete due to the missing Quint, i.e. its right leg is missing. The East anchor is fully present. The contrast or South anchor is incomplete having its head and its right leg only. The West anchor is completely absent.
  • Secondary harmonic anchors: Four secondary anchors are present: NE, SE, WS, and WN. All of them emphasize the East anchor. Two of them give some more weight to the only partially present fundamental or North anchor and the quart. The other two strengthen the contrast or South anchor.
  • Tritone and missing quint: The presence of the tritone and absence of the quint defer harmonic importance to the quart and emphasize a strong regressive quality and a very distinct, rather heavy minor feeling.
  • Piano keyboard reference: Locrian corresponds to the white keys with B as fundamental.