A Locrian scale
The A Locrian scale has the notes A B♭ C D E♭ F G. Its formula is 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7. It is mode 7 of the B♭ major scale: the same notes, starting on A. Key signature: 2 flats (B♭ E♭).
Scale notes
| Degree | Formula | Note |
|---|---|---|
| I | 1 | A tonic |
| II | b2 | B♭ |
| III | b3 | C |
| IV | 4 | D |
| V | b5 | E♭ |
| VI | b6 | F |
| VII | b7 | G |
Chords of the scale
| Symbol | Chord | Notes | Chord-scale | Tensions | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iø modal center | Aø | A C E♭ G | Locrian A | 11 (D), b13 (F) | b9 (B♭) |
| bIIMaj7 | B♭Maj7 | B♭ D F A | Ionian B♭ | 9 (C), 13 (G) | 11 (E♭) |
| bIIIm7 | Cm7 | C E♭ G B♭ | Dorian C | 9 (D), 11 (F), 13 (A) | – |
| IVm7 | Dm7 | D F A C | Phrygian D | 11 (G) | b9 (E♭), b13 (B♭) |
| bVMaj7 | E♭Maj7 | E♭ G B♭ D | Lydian E♭ | 9 (F), #11 (A), 13 (C) | – |
| bVI7 | F7 | F A C E♭ | Mixolydian F | 9 (G), 13 (D) | 11 (B♭) |
| bVIIm7 | Gm7 | G B♭ D F | Aeolian G | 9 (A), 11 (C) | b13 (E♭) |
Character and characteristic note
The Locrian mode is the seventh mode of the major scale and the darkest and most unstable. It has a flat second and a flat fifth (b5), so its tonic chord is half-diminished (ø) and it is rarely used as a tonal center.
- Effect: unbalanced, very dark.
- Characteristic note: b5.
How to use it
Center Iø. No characteristic chords or move: only the characteristic note b5. There are no Locrian pieces; Inner Urge only holds a -7b5.
Examples
- Inner Urge (only holds a -7b5)
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the A Locrian scale?
A B♭ C D E♭ F G. 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7.
What chords can you build on the A Locrian scale?
The seventh chords on each degree are Iø = Aø, bIIMaj7 = B♭Maj7, bIIIm7 = Cm7, IVm7 = Dm7, bVMaj7 = E♭Maj7, bVI7 = F7, bVIIm7 = Gm7.
Which major scale is the A Locrian scale a mode of?
It is mode 7 of the B♭ major scale; they share the same notes.
Other modes on the same tonic
Related scale: B♭ major scale