fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON CELLO

A Locrian

Diminished tonic. Rare in practice; theoretical more than functional.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
Choose a root
Meter:Octave per barCrotchets in 4/4Quavers in 4/4Triplets in 4/4
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 4 title A Locrian
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 2 3 4 title A Locrian
Verovio
Tempo120 bpm

Audio source: tonejs-instruments by Nick Brosowsky (MIT)

FingeringFollows the scale as it plays — written pitch, matches the staff
AG stringADGCoctave nodeoctave nodeoctave nodeoctave nodeAB♭CDE♭FGAB♭DE♭FGAB♭CDE♭GAB♭CDE♭FGACDE♭FGAB♭CD
Related scales
Diatonic chord harmonisation
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
Compare with
Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the A Locrian scale?

The A Locrian scale uses the notes A, B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).

What's the Locrian scale formula?

The Locrian scale follows the interval pattern H W W H W W W, where W = whole step (2 semitones) and H = half step (1 semitone). Apply that pattern starting on A to get the A Locrian scale.

What chords work over A Locrian?

Locrian works over m7♭5 (half-diminished) chords — the ii of a minor ii–V–i. Locrian ♮6 is often a better fit.

How do I finger A Locrian on Cello?

On bowed strings, scales train both fingering and bow technique. First-position fingerings cover most scales up to one octave; second-, third-, and fourth-position shifts unlock the higher register. The 1-2-3-4 finger pattern adapts to the half-step + whole-step positions per scale.

When would I use the Locrian scale?

Diminished tonic. Rare in practice; theoretical more than functional.