The A♭ Locrian scale contains seven notes: A♭, B♭♭, C♭, D♭, E♭♭, F♭, and G♭. It follows the whole-step / half-step pattern H-W-W-H-W-W-W.
The A♭ Locrian mode is the seventh mode of the B♭♭ Major scale. It has a diminished quality with flatted second and fifth degrees, the most dissonant of the seven modes.
A♭ Locrian Mode Notes
| 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 | Leading Tone | G♭ | m7 |
Diatonic Chords in the A♭ Locrian Mode
These are the triads built on each degree of the A♭ Locrian Mode:
How Locrian Relates to the Major Scale
Mode
Key
A♭ Locrian uses the same notes as A Major
Relative modes — all share the same notes
A Ionian=B Dorian=C♯ Phrygian=D Lydian=E Mixolydian=F♯ Aeolian=A♭ Locrian
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♭ Dorian | A♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ – D♭ – E♭♭ – F♭ – G♭ – A♭ | 8 / 7 |
| A♭ Phrygian | A♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ – D♭ – E♭♭ – F♭ – G♭ – A♭ | 8 / 7 |
| A♭ Lydian | A♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ – D♭ – E♭♭ – F♭ – G♭ – A♭ | 8 / 7 |
| A♭ Mixolydian | A♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ – D♭ – E♭♭ – F♭ – G♭ – A♭ | 8 / 7 |
| A♭ Ionian | A♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ – D♭ | 4 / 7 |
| A♭ Aeolian | A♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ – D♭ | 4 / 7 |
A♭ Locrian Mode — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the Ab Locrian mode?
Ab Locrian contains: Ab, Bbb, Cb, Db, Ebb, Fb, Gb. Seventh mode of Bbb Major.
How does Ab Locrian differ from Ab Natural Minor?
Flatted 2nd (Bbb) and flatted 5th (Ebb).
What is the parent major scale?
Seventh mode of Bbb Major (enharmonically A Major).
How is Ab Locrian used in music?
Over Abm7b5. Jazz, metal.
What chords are built from Ab Locrian?
Abdim, Bbb, Cbm, Dbm, Ebb, Fb, Gbm.
What songs use Locrian?
Progressive metal, experimental jazz.