G♯ Locrian scale

The G♯ Locrian scale has the notes G♯ A B C♯ D E F♯. Its formula is 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7. It is mode 7 of the A major scale: the same notes, starting on G♯. Key signature: 3 sharps (G♯ C♯ F♯).

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

Open in Grados with sound →

Scale notes

Degree	Formula	Note
I	1	G♯ tonic
II	b2	A
III	b3	B
IV	4	C♯
V	b5	D
VI	b6	E
VII	b7	F♯

Chords of the scale

Symbol	Chord	Notes	Chord-scale	Tensions	Avoid
Iø modal center	G♯ø	G♯ B D F♯	Locrian G♯	11 (C♯), b13 (E)	b9 (A)
bIIMaj7	AMaj7	A C♯ E G♯	Ionian A	9 (B), 13 (F♯)	11 (D)
bIIIm7	Bm7	B D F♯ A	Dorian B	9 (C♯), 11 (E), 13 (G♯)	–
IVm7	C♯m7	C♯ E G♯ B	Phrygian C♯	11 (F♯)	b9 (D), b13 (A)
bVMaj7	DMaj7	D F♯ A C♯	Lydian D	9 (E), #11 (G♯), 13 (B)	–
bVI7	E7	E G♯ B D	Mixolydian E	9 (F♯), 13 (C♯)	11 (A)
bVIIm7	F♯m7	F♯ A C♯ E	Aeolian F♯	9 (G♯), 11 (B)	b13 (D)

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 G♯ Locrian scale?

G♯ A B C♯ D E F♯. 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7.

What chords can you build on the G♯ Locrian scale?

The seventh chords on each degree are Iø = G♯ø, bIIMaj7 = AMaj7, bIIIm7 = Bm7, IVm7 = C♯m7, bVMaj7 = DMaj7, bVI7 = E7, bVIIm7 = F♯m7.