A Locrian scale
The A Locrian scale is made of the notes A, B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G. It has 7 notes; compared with the major scale its formula is 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 ♭5 ♭6 ♭7.
Modes · 7 notes
- 1A
- ♭2B♭
- ♭3C
- 4D
- ♭5E♭
- ♭6F
- ♭7G
PatternH – W – W – H – W – W – W(W = whole step, H = half step)
The seven scales you get by starting from each degree of the major scale. Degrees are shown relative to the major scale: ♭3 is the third lowered by a half step, ♯4 the fourth raised.
Mode and chords
The seventh mode of the major: minor 2nd and diminished 5th, so the tonic does not form a perfect triad. It is used over the half-diminished chord (m7♭5), for example in a minor II-V-I.
The A Locrian scale is mode 7 of the B♭ major scale: the same notes, starting from degree 7. B♭ major scale →
Put it into practice
The scale played in thirds over one octave: one of the exercises MEG generates from this scale.
This scale is not part of the demo: in the MEG app you will find it in every key, with 24 patterns.
Chords built on the scale
Frequently asked questions
- What are the notes of the A Locrian scale?
- The notes are A, B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G.
- What is the pattern of the A Locrian scale?
- The sequence of steps is H – W – W – H – W – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step); compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 ♭5 ♭6 ♭7.
- Which scale is the A Locrian scale a mode of?
- It is mode 7 of the B♭ major scale.
- Which chords is the A Locrian scale used over?
- It is used over Am7♭5, Adim: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.