A Locrian scale on piano
The A Locrian scale on piano has 7 notes: A, B flat, C, D, E flat, F, and G (A, B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G). It uses 2 black keys: B♭, E♭.
- A 1
- B♭ B flat ♭2
- C ♭3
- D 4
- E♭ E flat ♭5
- F ♭6
- G ♭7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (A) has the strongest color. Tap a key to hear the note; "Play" goes up and down. The small dot marks middle C (C4).
Fingering for the A Locrian scale
This scale has no single fingering in piano method books. A rule that works: never put the thumb on a black key, and pass the thumb right after a black key. Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger.
Formula
- A
- H
- B♭
- W
- C
- W
- D
- H
- E♭
- W
- F
- W
- G
- W
- A
Degrees: 1 · ♭2 · ♭3 · 4 · ♭5 · ♭6 · ♭7. Steps: H – W – W – H – W – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the Locrian scale
The most unstable mode, with a diminished 5th. Used over half-diminished chords.
Harmonized scale (chords in the key)
The chords that come from the scale, stacking thirds from each note.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord |
|---|---|---|
| I° | A° | Am7(b5) |
| II | B♭ | B♭7M |
| IIIm | Cm | Cm7 |
| IVm | Dm | Dm7 |
| V | E♭ | E♭7M |
| VI | F | F7 |
| VIIm | Gm | Gm7 |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
More A scales
- Major
- Natural minor
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic
- Minor pentatonic
- Blues
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Locrian
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião)
- Phrygian dominant
- Whole-tone
- Diminished (whole-half)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole)
Locrian in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the A Locrian scale?
The notes of the A Locrian scale are A, B flat, C, D, E flat, F, and G. It uses 2 black keys: B♭, E♭.
What is the formula of the A Locrian scale?
In degrees: 1 · ♭2 · ♭3 · 4 · ♭5 · ♭6 · ♭7. In steps between notes: H – W – W – H – W – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).
Which chords go with the A Locrian scale?
The chords of the key are A°, B♭, Cm, Dm, E♭, F, Gm. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.