A♯ Arabian at a glance
Despite the name, the Arabian scale (major Locrian) isn't an Arabic maqam: the label comes from jazz theory books. Its 1, 3, ♭5 and ♭7 spell a dominant seventh flat five, which is the chord jazz players use it over. Its signature is the flat fifth, reached by a half step from the fourth and followed by whole steps up to the octave. 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 | W W H H W W W |
| Chords in the key | A♯(♭5)B♯°C𝄪–E–G♯D♯mE+F♯+G♯ |
Chords in the A♯ Arabian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
A♯ Arabian on the piano
Improvisation drone · A♯
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano A♯ Arabian uses four black keys (A♯, D♯, F♯ and G♯) and three white. B♯ and C𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call C and D.
A♯ · B♯ · C𝄪 · D♯ · E · F♯ · G♯
Try A♯ Arabian on the virtual piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
A♯ Arabian on the guitar
A♯ Arabian - fr 0–12
A♯ Arabian on the staff
Notes of the A♯ Arabian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A♯ | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | B♯ | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | C𝄪 | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | D♯ | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | E | diminished 5th5d | 6 | |
| 6 | F♯ | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | G♯ | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes A♯ Arabian different
The Arabian scale as used here (1, 2, 3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7) is also called major Locrian: a major lower half under Locrian's upper half. It differs from the Hindu scale only in the fifth, which is lowered. Six of its seven notes form a whole-tone scale and the fourth is the only note outside it, so it sounds like whole-tone with one foothold. Its only half steps are 3 to 4 and 4 to ♭5, both packed into the middle of the scale. On A♯, A♯ Arabian has E where A♯ Hindu has E♯; every other note is shared with A♯ Hindu (A♯ B♯ C𝄪 D♯ E♯ F♯ G♯).
How to use the A♯ Arabian scale
The diatonic chords of A♯ Arabian are: I♭5 = A♯(♭5), ii° = B♯°, III = C𝄪–E–G♯, iv = D♯m, V+ = E+, VI+ = F♯+, VII = G♯. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in A♯ Arabian. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own diagram and progressions.
Despite the name, the Arabian scale (major Locrian) isn't an Arabic maqam: the label comes from jazz theory books. Its 1, 3, ♭5 and ♭7 spell a dominant seventh flat five, which is the chord jazz players use it over. Its signature is the flat fifth, reached by a half step from the fourth and followed by whole steps up to the octave.
Practice tips
Treat the half steps in the middle of the scale (3–4 and 4–♭5) as ornamental targets rather than passing notes. Slow trills and slides there sell the Arabian sound, while the whole steps above ♭5 carry the line up to the octave.
Formula & step pattern
The A♯ Arabian scale follows intervals 1, 2, 3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7, a major lower tetrachord followed by whole steps from the flat fifth to the octave. Step pattern: W - W - H - 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♯ Arabian
Start with the music described above: listen for A♯ Arabian 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♯ Arabian scale?
The A♯ Arabian scale contains A♯, B♯, C𝄪, D♯, E, F♯ and G♯.
What is the formula for the A♯ Arabian scale?
A♯ Arabian follows intervals 1, 2, 3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7, a major lower tetrachord followed by whole steps from the flat fifth to the octave.
Is A♯ Arabian a major or minor scale?
A♯ Arabian is a arabian scale. Major lower tetrachord, then a flat fifth and whole steps up to the octave: major Locrian, a jazz-book name rather than an Arabic maqam.
What chords belong to the A♯ Arabian scale?
The diatonic chords of A♯ Arabian are A♯(♭5), B♯°, C𝄪–E–G♯, D♯m, E+, F♯+, G♯.
Which genres use A♯ Arabian?
Despite the name, the Arabian scale (major Locrian) isn't an Arabic maqam: the label comes from jazz theory books. Its 1, 3, ♭5 and ♭7 spell a dominant seventh flat five, which is the chord jazz players use it over. Its signature is the flat fifth, reached by a half step from the fourth and followed by whole steps up to the octave.
How do you play the A♯ Arabian scale on the piano?
On the piano A♯ Arabian uses four black keys (A♯, D♯, F♯ and G♯) and three white. B♯ and C𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call C and D.
What is the difference between A♯ Arabian and A♯ Hindu?
On A♯, A♯ Arabian has E where A♯ Hindu has E♯; every other note is shared with A♯ Hindu (A♯ B♯ C𝄪 D♯ E♯ F♯ G♯).
How do I practise the A♯ Arabian scale?
Treat the half steps in the middle of the scale (3–4 and 4–♭5) as ornamental targets rather than passing notes. Slow trills and slides there sell the Arabian sound, while the whole steps above ♭5 carry the line up to the octave.