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: 5 sharps (A♯ C♯ D♯ F♯ G♯).

It can also be written as B♭; we use the spelling with fewer accidentals.

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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	A♯ø	A♯ C♯ E G♯	Locrian A♯	11 (D♯), b13 (F♯)	b9 (B)
bIIMaj7	BMaj7	B D♯ F♯ A♯	Ionian B	9 (C♯), 13 (G♯)	11 (E)
bIIIm7	C♯m7	C♯ E G♯ B	Dorian C♯	9 (D♯), 11 (F♯), 13 (A♯)	–
IVm7	D♯m7	D♯ F♯ A♯ C♯	Phrygian D♯	11 (G♯)	b9 (E), b13 (B)
bVMaj7	EMaj7	E G♯ B D♯	Lydian E	9 (F♯), #11 (A♯), 13 (C♯)	–
bVI7	F♯7	F♯ A♯ C♯ E	Mixolydian F♯	9 (G♯), 13 (D♯)	11 (B)
bVIIm7	G♯m7	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 = A♯ø, bIIMaj7 = BMaj7, bIIIm7 = C♯m7, IVm7 = D♯m7, bVMaj7 = EMaj7, bVI7 = F♯7, bVIIm7 = G♯m7.