UnitBasseHarmony · Scales
The Ultralocrian mode on bass:
notes, formula and position
The Ultralocrian mode has 7 notes: 1 ♭2 ♭3 ♭4 ♭5 ♭6 𝄫7. In A, that gives A, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F and G♭. The 7th mode of harmonic minor, the most altered one: it fits the diminished chord (dim7).
Also called: Super Locrian double flat 7, mode VII of harmonic minor.
Formula and notes
1 ♭2 ♭3 ♭4 ♭5 ♭6 𝄫7
The steps between the notes, from the root to the octave: half step – whole step – half step – whole step – whole step – half step – step and a half. In A:
| Degree | Interval | Note in A | Half steps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | root | A | 0 |
| ♭2 | minor second | B♭ | 1 |
| ♭3 | minor third | C | 3 |
| ♭4 | diminished fourth | D♭ | 4 |
| ♭5 | diminished fifth | E♭ | 6 |
| ♭6 | minor sixth | F | 8 |
| 𝄫7 | diminished seventh | G♭ | 9 |
Where the Ultralocrian mode comes from
It is the 7th mode of harmonic minor: you play the notes of harmonic minor starting from its 7th degree. The Ultralocrian mode in A therefore has the same notes as B♭ harmonic minor. What changes is the home note: the root A, the note your line keeps coming back to.
One position on the neck
The Ultralocrian mode in A, in the 5th-fret position: one finger per fret, from the 4th to the 8th fret, on all four strings. The numbers are the degrees; the root is in gold.
The same position as bass tab (fret by fret, from the low E string to the G string):
G|-5--6--8-| D|-4--7--8-| A|-4--6--8-| E|-5--6--8-|
For another key, move the whole shape: the root on the E string sets the key (3rd fret for G, 8th fret for C).
The sound of the Ultralocrian mode
7th mode. The most altered, with double-flat 7. Extremely unstable. Rarely used.
You mostly hear it in avant-garde jazz.
Which chords to play it over
In A, the Ultralocrian mode fits Adim7. On bass, keep the root on the strong beats and use the other notes to connect the chords.
Neighbouring scales
These scales differ from the Ultralocrian mode by a single note. Comparing them lets you hear exactly what that note brings.
- The altered scale: ♭7 instead of 𝄫7.
Practice it with UnitBasse
This diagram shows a single position, in a single key. In UnitBasse, this scale is shown across the whole neck and in all twelve keys, as note names, intervals or degrees, with one color per degree. You can listen to it, see the chords that go with it, switch keys in one click, and play it over a chord chart with BackTrack, the app’s backing band. The app has 69 scales in 12 families.
Frequently asked questions
How many notes are in the Ultralocrian mode?
7 notes: 1 ♭2 ♭3 ♭4 ♭5 ♭6 𝄫7. In A: A, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F and G♭.
What are the notes of the Ultralocrian mode in A?
A, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F and G♭.
Which chord do you play the Ultralocrian mode over?
In A, over Adim7. In another key, over the same chords built on the root.
Which scale does the Ultralocrian mode come from?
It is the 7th mode of harmonic minor.