A# Doric Locrian Piano Scale
Piano scale diagramAdvanced
A# Doric Locrian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A# Doric Locrian scale, known as Karcigar in Turkish makam tradition, occupies a modal crossroads between the soulful warmth of Dorian and the diminished tension of Locrian. On Piano, it contains the notes A#, C, C#, D#, E, G, G#. Its natural sixth prevents the scale from sounding entirely bleak, making it a versatile tool for Balkan folk music and Eastern European jazz contexts. Commonly used in Balkan Folk, Turkish, Klezmer, Jazz. Notable players include Ivo Papasov, Dave Liebman. Use over m7b5 chords with a natural 6th or in Eastern European folk contexts. The Dorian flavor softens the Locrian harshness, making it more melodically versatile.
Notes: A#, C, C#, D#, E, G, G#
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4P, 5d, 6M, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7
Formula: W-H-W-H-WH-H-W
Number of notes: 7
Musical Character
Dorian mode with a diminished 5th (b5), creating a modal crossroads between the soulful warmth of Dorian and the instability of Locrian. The natural 6th prevents the scale from sounding as bleak as pure Locrian.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Balkan Folk, Turkish, Klezmer, Jazz
Notable players: Ivo Papasov, Dave Liebman
How to Use the A# Doric Locrian Scale
Use over m7b5 chords with a natural 6th or in Eastern European folk contexts. The Dorian flavor softens the Locrian harshness, making it more melodically versatile.
Origin & Background
Known as Karcigar in Eastern European music, after the Turkish makam of the same name. Used extensively in Balkan and Romani traditions where its combination of Dorian warmth and Locrian tension serves the emotional extremes of wedding and funeral music alike.
How to Play A# Doric Locrian on Piano
On piano, the A# Doric Locrian scale uses 4 black keys. With several black keys involved, let the thumb naturally fall on white keys where possible. Practice hands separately at first, paying attention to smooth thumb-under transitions.
The A# Doric Locrian scale contains 4 sharps (A#, C#, D#, G#). Its relative major is C# major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Set a metronome to 100 BPM and play the A# Doric Locrian scale in groups of four notes, shifting the starting note each repetition. This builds muscle memory across the entire scale range. After a week, try improvising short 4-bar phrases using only these notes.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on A# to let the characteristic intervals of the Doric Locrian scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in balkan folk contexts.
Piano Tips
At the piano, try voicing the A# Doric Locrian scale in the left hand as blocked intervals (thirds or sixths) while the right hand plays the melody. This develops your harmonic ear and comping skills simultaneously. Aim for a exotic quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
The A# Doric Locrian scale contains 7 notes (A#, C, C#, D#, E, G, G#). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each shape and pattern on Piano. Practice ascending and descending from the root note to learn the sound of this scale.