A Locrian Scale
The A Locrian scale contains A – Bb – C – D – Eb – F – G. It uses 2 flats: Bb and Eb.
A Locrian scale chart
Sharps and flats
A Locrian has 2 flats: Bb and Eb. Its parent major scale is Bb major, which uses the same notes. See the chords in the key of Bb major.
Scale degrees
| Degree | Note | Semitones from A |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | 0 |
| b2 | Bb | 1 |
| b3 | C | 3 |
| 4 | D | 5 |
| b5 | Eb | 6 |
| b6 | F | 8 |
| b7 | G | 10 |
Step pattern
The Locrian scale is built from the pattern H – W – W – H – W – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step). Apply that pattern from any starting note and you get the same mode in a different key.
Chords in A Locrian
Building a triad on each degree of the scale gives you the chords that belong to it. These are the chords to reach for when writing in A Locrian.
| Degree | Numeral | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | i° | Adim | A C Eb |
| 2 | II | Bb | Bb D F |
| 3 | iii | Cm | C Eb G |
| 4 | iv | Dm | D F A |
| 5 | V | Eb | Eb G Bb |
| 6 | VI | F | F A C |
| 7 | vii | Gm | G Bb D |
Other modes on A
More scales on A
Locrian scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the A Locrian scale?
The A Locrian scale contains A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, then returns to A an octave higher.
How many flats are in A Locrian?
A Locrian has 2 flats: Bb and Eb.
What is the step pattern of the Locrian scale?
The Locrian scale follows the whole/half step pattern H – W – W – H – W – W – W, where W is a whole step (two semitones) and H is a half step (one semitone).
Which chords work with the A Locrian scale?
The diatonic chords are Adim, Bb, Cm, Dm, Eb, F, Gm. Each is built only from notes of the A Locrian scale, so they all belong to the same tonality — though the diminished chord carries a tritone and normally wants to resolve.