A♭ Locrian Mode Notes
- Steps:
- 1-2-2-1-2-2-2
- Pattern:
- H-W-W-H-W-W-W
- Notes:
- Seven-note scale
| Degree | Name | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | A♭ | P1 |
| ♭2 | Supertonic | B♭♭ | m2 |
| ♭3 | Mediant | C♭ | m3 |
| 4 | Subdominant | D♭ | P4 |
| ♭5 | Dominant | E♭♭ | d5 |
| ♭6 | Submediant | F♭ | m6 |
| ♭7 | Subtonic | G♭ | m7 |
How to Play the A♭ Locrian Mode
Practice the A♭ Locrian Mode hands separately at a slow, steady tempo before putting them together. Aim for even rhythm and a relaxed wrist. The goal is a smooth, connected line where every note sounds the same length and volume. Once both hands feel comfortable on their own, layer them at the same slow tempo and only speed up when the joined version is clean.
Right Hand (RH)
Place your right hand over the keys with the thumb on the root. Use the fingering: 3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3 (1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = pinky).
Watch for the thumb tuck: the thumb (1) passes under your fingers at notes 3, 6. Keep your wrist level and quiet. Only the thumb moves under, the hand stays in place above the keys.
Two octaves (RH): 3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3
Left Hand (LH)
For the left hand, start with your pinky on the root. Use the fingering: 3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3
Watch for the crossover: a long finger (3 or 4) crosses over the thumb at notes 4, 7. Lift the long finger over cleanly without disturbing the thumb. Descending the scale, the thumb will pass under at the same spots in reverse.
Two octaves (LH): 3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3
Common Tones
Common tones are the notes that two scales or modes share. Knowing which notes the A♭ mode shares with its parallel modes (same root, different scale) helps with improvisation, modal interchange, and smooth voice leading. The more notes two modes share, the more closely related they sound, and the easier it is to slide between them in a solo or progression.
| Parallel Mode | Common Notes | Shared / 7 |
|---|---|---|
| A♭ Phrygian | A♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ – D♭ – F♭ – G♭ | 6 / 7 |
| A♭ Aeolian | A♭ – C♭ – D♭ – F♭ – G♭ | 5 / 7 |
| A♭ Dorian | A♭ – C♭ – D♭ – G♭ | 4 / 7 |
| A♭ Mixolydian | A♭ – D♭ – G♭ | 3 / 7 |
| A♭ Ionian | A♭ – D♭ | 2 / 7 |
| A♭ Lydian | A♭ – E♭♭ | 2 / 7 |
Key Signature
The A♭ Locrian Mode draws its notes from , so it is written with that key signature: no sharps or flats.
Accidentals
Diatonic Chords in the A♭ Locrian Mode
These are the triads built on each degree of the A♭ Locrian Mode:
A♭ Locrian Mode Properties
- Stability
- One note in A♭ Locrian Mode has no perfect fifth above it within the scale, giving the scale a small asymmetry that defines its leading quality.
- Semitone steps
- A♭ Locrian Mode has 2 adjacent semitone steps, creating the close chromatic movement that shapes its character.
- Brightness
- Brightness score: 41. Higher numbers indicate a brighter, sharper sound.
- Symmetry
- A♭ Locrian Mode has no transposition symmetry: shifting every note by the same number of semitones produces a different set of notes.
- Interval profile
- [2, 5, 4, 3, 6, 1](semitone pairs, step pairs, thirds, fourths, fifths, tritone pairs)
- Complement
- 5 notes outside this scale
Related modes and scales sharing the same 7 notes:
A♭ Locrian Mode : Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the Ab Locrian mode?
How does Ab Locrian differ from Ab Natural Minor?
What is the parent major scale?
How is Ab Locrian used in music?
What chords are built from Ab Locrian?
What songs use Locrian?
References and further reading
The visible claims on this mode page are grounded in these verified sources.
1. Carl E. Gardner (1912)
Essentials of Music Theory, Elementary volume
Public domain treatise2. James Francis Cooke (1913)
Mastering the Scales and Arpeggios, Lesson IV, "Fingering of the Scales"; scale tables pp. 16-25
Public domain treatise3. Karl W. Gehrkens (1914)
Music Notation and Terminology
Public domain treatise4. piano.org
piano.org scale note dataset: 25 scale types × 18 keys, derived from interval construction rules
Primary data