A Locrian ♯2 scale
The A Locrian ♯2 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 of the melodic minor · 7 notes
- 1A
- 2B
- ♭3C
- 4D
- ♭5E♭
- ♭6F
- ♭7G
PatternW – H – W – H – W – W – W(W = whole step, H = half step)
The seven scales you get by starting from each degree of the melodic minor: the language of modern jazz, from the Lydian dominant to the altered 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 sixth mode of the melodic minor: a Locrian scale with a major 2nd. In jazz it is the most common choice over the half-diminished chord (m7♭5), because it avoids the minor 2nd above the root.
The A Locrian ♯2 scale is mode 6 of the C melodic minor scale: the same notes, starting from degree 6. C melodic minor 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 ♯2 scale?
- The notes are A, B, C, D, E♭, F, G.
- What is the pattern of the A Locrian ♯2 scale?
- The sequence of steps is W – H – 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 ♯2 scale a mode of?
- It is mode 6 of the C melodic minor scale.
- Which chords is the A Locrian ♯2 scale used over?
- It is used over Am7♭5, Adim: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.