SCALE · ON BASS CLARINET
A♯ Major
The bright, stable home of common-practice tonality.
Tempo120 bpm
Playback sounds an octave + major 2nd below the written notation — the instrument's concert (sounding) pitch.
Audio source: tonejs-instruments by Nick Brosowsky (MIT)
FingeringFollows the scale as it plays — written pitch, matches the staff
Related scalesDiatonic chord harmonisation Same scale, other instruments Same scale, other tonics Modes built on this tonic Compare with Theory reference
RelativeF𝄪 Natural MinorSame seven notes, tonic on the 6th degree — your access to the related minor key.ParallelA♯ Natural MinorSame tonic, the parallel minor — the deepest mode flip in tonal music.Up a fifthE♯ MajorOne sharp brighter on the circle of fifths.Up a fourthD♯ MajorOne flat darker on the circle of fifths.One note differentA♯ LydianRaise the 4th — the bright, floating Lydian colour.One note differentA♯ MixolydianLower the 7th — folk, blues-rock, Celtic vocabulary.SubsetA♯ Pentatonic MajorFive notes from the same scale — the bedrock pentatonic.ExoticA♯ Harmonic MajorBorrow the ♭6 from minor — operatic edge, IV / iv6 colour.
Questions
What notes are in the A♯ Major scale?
The A♯ Major scale uses the notes A♯, B♯, C𝄪, D♯, E♯, F𝄪, G𝄪 (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).
What chords work over A♯ Major?
The diatonic chords of A♯ major: A♯ major, ii minor, iii minor, IV major, V major (or V7), vi minor, vii°. Strong cadences use IV→V→I.
How do I finger A♯ Major on Bass Clarinet?
On woodwinds, scales train fingering coordination + breath support + register changes. Pay particular attention to the break (the register-key transition); slow practice with a tuner reveals intonation issues across the break.
When would I use the Major scale?
The bright, stable home of common-practice tonality.