A# Ultralocrian Piano Scale
Piano scale diagramAdvanced
A# Ultralocrian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A# Ultralocrian scale is an extremely dark and condensed scale used to create intense chromatic tension. On Piano, its notes are A#, B, C#, D, E, F#, G. It is used in avant-garde jazz and dark ambient music to explore the most dissonant boundaries of minor-key tonality. Commonly used in Avant-Garde, Dark Ambient, Experimental Jazz. Notable players include John Zorn, Derek Bailey. Use over dim7 chords in avant-garde contexts. More of a compositional tool than an improvisational one.
Notes: A#, B, C#, D, E, F#, G
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3m, 4d, 5d, 6m, 7d
Degrees: 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 7
Formula: H-W-H-W-W-H-WH
Number of notes: 7
Also known as: superlocrian bb7, superlocrian diminished
Musical Character
The darkest mode of the harmonic minor — so dark it has a diminished 4th (bb7), making it almost chromatic. Used to push dissonance to its absolute limit.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Avant-Garde, Dark Ambient, Experimental Jazz
Notable players: John Zorn, Derek Bailey
How to Use the A# Ultralocrian Scale
Use over dim7 chords in avant-garde contexts. More of a compositional tool than an improvisational one.
Origin & Background
The seventh mode of the harmonic minor scale. Explores the most dissonant extreme of minor-key tonality.
How to Play A# Ultralocrian on Piano
On piano, the A# Ultralocrian scale uses 3 black keys. Start with your thumb on A# and use the black keys as landmarks for consistent finger placement. Standard major or minor fingering patterns apply.
The A# Ultralocrian scale contains 3 sharps (A#, C#, F#). Its relative major is C# major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 100 BPM and play the A# Ultralocrian 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 Ultralocrian scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in dark ambient contexts.
Piano Tips
On piano, practice the A# Ultralocrian scale hands together in contrary motion (one hand ascending, the other descending). This builds independence and strengthens your awareness of the scale's symmetry. Aim for a extremely dark quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
Ultralocrian is the 7th mode of the Harmonic Minor scale. View A# Harmonic minor scale
The A# Ultralocrian scale contains 7 notes (A#, B, C#, D, E, F#, G). Use the interactive piano diagram above to explore this scale on Piano.