scale
Ukulele fretboard diagram
A bebop locrian scale — ukulele chords and intervals
Harmonizing the A bebop locrian scale produces a specialized chord set for half-diminished passages, adding a chromatic bridge chord that smooths out the naturally harsh Locrian sound. The chords of A bebop locrian are A diminished, Bb (1-3-♭5), C (1-♭3-4), E minor seventh, Eb (1-2-♭5), E diminished, F major, G minor. These chords allow jazz accompanists to maintain rhythmic momentum through difficult ii° passages. The chromatic addition creates smoother voice leading than standard Locrian harmony alone. Commonly used in Modern Jazz, Post-Bop, Fusion. Notable players include John Coltrane, Woody Shaw, Steve Coleman.
The A bebop locrian scale has the following degrees: 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 ♭5 5 ♭6 ♭7.
Intervals: H-W-W-H-H-H-W-W.
Diatonic chords: A diminished, Bb (1-3-♭5), C (1-♭3-4), E minor seventh, Eb (1-2-♭5), E diminished, F major, G minor.
| Degrees | Chord |
|---|---|
| I | A diminished |
| ii | Bb (1-3-♭5) |
| iii | C (1-♭3-4) |
| IV | E minor seventh |
| V | Eb (1-2-♭5) |
| vi | E diminished |
| vii° | F major |
| 8 | G minor |
Degree-by-Degree Analysis
The I chord (A diminished) is the tonic — the gravitational center of the key. The ii chord (Bb (1-3-♭5)) is the minor subdominant, commonly used to approach the V chord. The iii chord (C (1-♭3-4)) functions as a substitute for the I or vi. The IV chord (E minor seventh) is the subdominant — it adds motion and moderate tension. The V chord (Eb (1-2-♭5)) is the dominant — it creates the strongest tension that wants to resolve to the I. The vi chord (E diminished) is the relative minor — it brings emotional color and depth. The vii° chord (F major) is the diminished — the most tense, rarely used alone, usually leading to the I.
This page focuses on the harmonic content — the chords built from each degree of the A bebop locrian scale. For fretboard patterns and fingering guides, see the scale page.
Use the interactive harmonizer above to explore triads, seventh chords, and chord voicings for composing with the A bebop locrian scale on ukulele.
bebop locrian is the Locrian with added chromatic passing tone. View A Locrian scale
Related Scales
How to Use This Scale
Use over m7b5 chords. Maintains bebop rhythmic alignment in the most dissonant harmonic context.