A Locrian at a glance
Locrian is rare as a tonal centre because of that diminished tonic, but you need to know it for modal theory. Shows up in metal and avant-garde jazz. Built on the root A, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where A is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | A B♭ C D E♭ F G |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2m · 3m · 4P · 5d · 6m · 7m |
| Step pattern | H W W H W W W |
| Chords in the key | A°B♭CmDmE♭FGm |
Chords in the A Locrian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
A Locrian on the piano
Improvisation drone · A
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano A Locrian uses two black keys (B♭ and E♭) and five white.
A · B♭ · C · D · E♭ · F · G
Play A Locrian on the online piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
A Locrian on the guitar
A Locrian - fr 0–12
A Locrian on the staff
Notes of the A Locrian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | B♭ | minor 2nd2m | 1 | |
| 3 | C | minor 3rd3m | 3 | |
| 4 | D | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | E♭ | diminished 5th5d | 6 | |
| 6 | F | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | G | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes A Locrian different
Locrian is the only mode of the major scale with a diminished fifth, so its tonic chord is a diminished triad rather than a major or minor one. That flat fifth is the one note separating it from Phrygian. Without a perfect fifth the tonic never sounds at rest, which is why whole pieces in Locrian are rare and the mode lives mostly in theory, over half-diminished chords in jazz, and in metal riffs. It's the seventh mode of the major scale, so it shares its notes with the major scale a half step above its root. On A, A Locrian has E♭ where A Phrygian has E; every other note is shared with A Phrygian (A B♭ C D E F G).
Modes from A Locrian
Each note of this scale produces a different mode with its own character.
How to use the A Locrian scale
The diatonic chords of A Locrian are: i° = A°, II = B♭, iii = Cm, iv = Dm, V = E♭, VI = F, vii = Gm. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in A Locrian. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own diagram and progressions.
Locrian is rare as a tonal centre because of that diminished tonic, but you need to know it for modal theory. Shows up in metal and avant-garde jazz.
Practice tips
Locrian works best as a theoretical exercise. Spell each diatonic chord and notice why that diminished tonic makes it so unstable.
Formula & step pattern
The A Locrian scale follows a minor scale with a flat second and a flat fifth (H-W-W-H-W-W-W). Step pattern: H - W - W - H - W - W - W. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2m · 3m · 4P · 5d · 6m · 7m. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Where you will hear A Locrian
Start with the music described above: listen for A Locrian in it and transcribe a few short phrases by ear. It's the quickest way to learn how the scale sounds.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the A Locrian scale?
The A Locrian scale contains A, B♭, C, D, E♭, F and G.
What is the formula for the A Locrian scale?
A Locrian follows a minor scale with a flat second and a flat fifth (H-W-W-H-W-W-W).
Is A Locrian a major or minor scale?
A Locrian is a locrian scale. The unstable seventh mode - diminished tonic and a flat fifth, rarely used as tonal centre.
What chords belong to the A Locrian scale?
The diatonic chords of A Locrian are A°, B♭, Cm, Dm, E♭, F, Gm.
Which genres use A Locrian?
Locrian is rare as a tonal centre because of that diminished tonic, but you need to know it for modal theory. Shows up in metal and avant-garde jazz.
How do you play the A Locrian scale on the piano?
On the piano A Locrian uses two black keys (B♭ and E♭) and five white.
What is the difference between A Locrian and A Phrygian?
On A, A Locrian has E♭ where A Phrygian has E; every other note is shared with A Phrygian (A B♭ C D E F G).
How do I practise the A Locrian scale?
Locrian works best as a theoretical exercise. Spell each diatonic chord and notice why that diminished tonic makes it so unstable.