A Locrian ♭4 ♭7 (ultralocrian) scale
The A Locrian ♭4 ♭7 (ultralocrian) 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 harmonic minor · 7 notes
- 1A
- ♭2B♭
- ♭3C
- ♭4D♭
- ♭5E♭
- ♭6F
- ♭♭7G♭
PatternH – W – H – W – W – H – W+H(W = whole step, H = half step)
The seven scales you get by starting from each degree of the harmonic minor: they fit the chords of minor cadences. 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 seventh mode of the harmonic minor: diminished 4th and 7th (the diminished 7th sounds like a major 6th). It is used over the diminished seventh chord.
The A Locrian ♭4 ♭7 (ultralocrian) scale is mode 7 of the B♭ harmonic minor scale: the same notes, starting from degree 7. B♭ harmonic 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 ♭4 ♭7 (ultralocrian) scale?
- The notes are A, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭.
- What is the pattern of the A Locrian ♭4 ♭7 (ultralocrian) scale?
- The sequence of steps is H – W – H – W – W – H – W+H (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 ♭4 ♭7 (ultralocrian) scale a mode of?
- It is mode 7 of the B♭ harmonic minor scale.
- Which chords is the A Locrian ♭4 ♭7 (ultralocrian) scale used over?
- It is used over Adim7, Adim, Aaug: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.