A Super Locrian Pentatonic Piano Scale
Piano scale diagram
A Super Locrian Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A Super Locrian Pentatonic scale is an aggressive and highly dissonant subset of the altered scale. On Piano, it contains the notes A, C, Db, Eb, G. It is a primary tool for advanced jazz guitarists and horn players to create outside tension over altered dominant chords before resolving back to the tonic. Commonly used in Jazz, Avant-Garde, Fusion. Notable players include John Coltrane, Michael Brecker. Use over 7alt, 7#9b13 chords. The pentatonic shortcut for maximum 'outside' tension over altered dominants.
Notes: A, C, Db, Eb, G
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4d, 5d, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 b5
Formula: WH-H-W-4-W
Number of notes: 5
How to Play A Super Locrian Pentatonic on Piano
On piano, the A Super Locrian Pentatonic scale uses 2 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 Super Locrian Pentatonic scale contains 2 flats (Db, Eb). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the A Super Locrian Pentatonic 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.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in A. Try a A5 - Eb5 - G5 progression.
Piano Tips
At the piano, try voicing the A Super Locrian Pentatonic 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.
The A Super Locrian Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (A, C, Db, Eb, G). Use the interactive piano diagram above to explore this scale on Piano.