Explore scales · Ukulele
A♭ locrian scale on ukulele
A♭ locrian uses A♭, B♭♭, C♭, D♭, E♭♭, F♭, G♭. Its root sits at fret 1 on string 4, leaving open strings mostly outside the scale.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the A♭ locrian scale on ukulele?
A♭ locrian in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D♭ on the C string at fret 1 up to D♭ on the A string at fret 4. The root falls on the G string at fret 1 and the E string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 2, 4 | A♭, B♭♭, C♭ |
| 3 (C) | 1, 2, 4 | D♭, E♭♭, F♭ |
| 2 (E) | 2, 4 | G♭, A♭ |
| 1 (A) | 2, 4 | C♭, D♭ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
A♭ locrian in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 11 notes across 4 strings, from F♭ on the C string at fret 4 up to F♭ on the A string at fret 7. The root falls on the E string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 6, 7 | C♭, D♭, E♭♭ |
| 3 (C) | 4, 6 | F♭, G♭ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 5, 7 | A♭, B♭♭, C♭ |
| 1 (A) | 4, 5, 7 | D♭, E♭♭, F♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
A♭ locrian in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 10 notes across 4 strings, from G♭ on the C string at fret 6 up to G♭ on the A string at fret 9. The root falls on the C string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 7, 9 | D♭, E♭♭, F♭ |
| 3 (C) | 6, 8, 9 | G♭, A♭, B♭♭ |
| 2 (E) | 7, 9 | C♭, D♭ |
| 1 (A) | 7, 9 | F♭, G♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A♭ locrian in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 9 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the C string at fret 8 up to A♭ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the C string at fret 8 and the A string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 11 | F♭, G♭ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 9, 11 | A♭, B♭♭, C♭ |
| 2 (E) | 9, 10 | D♭, E♭♭ |
| 1 (A) | 9, 11 | G♭, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ locrian is the seventh mode of B♭♭ major, built as 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7. It lowers the fifth of A♭ phrygian, creating a diminished tonic triad. The scale’s half-step opening and tritone against the root produce its unstable colour.
When to use it
Use A♭ locrian over A♭ minor 7th flat 5th or A♭ diminished chords in minor-key turnarounds. It suits tense jazz passages and metal riffs that need a half-step lead-in. Try it over A♭ minor 7th flat 5th or A♭ diminished.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It places the root on strings 4 and 2 and covers frets 1–4 for quick low-position runs.
Common questions
Which notes are in A♭ locrian?
A♭, B♭♭, C♭, D♭, E♭♭, F♭, and G♭. The scale has a half step between A♭ and B♭♭, and a tritone between A♭ and E♭♭. It is the seventh mode of B♭♭ major. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What chords fit A♭ locrian?
A♭ minor 7th flat 5th and A♭ diminished are the primary chords. The scale also works over A major and B minor in passing. Use it where the harmony implies a diminished tonic.
Why does A♭ locrian sound unstable?
The flattened fifth creates a tritone with the root. Combined with the flattened second, the scale lacks a perfect fifth. This makes it hard to resolve and gives a dark, tense quality.