D Locrian at a glance
Locrian is rare as a tonal centre because of that diminished tonic, but you need to know it for modal theory. Shows up in metal and avant-garde jazz. Built on the root D, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where D is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | D E♭ F G A♭ B♭ C |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2m · 3m · 4P · 5d · 6m · 7m |
| Step pattern | H W W H W W W |
| Chords in the key | D°E♭FmGmA♭B♭Cm |
Chords in the D Locrian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
D Locrian on the piano
Improvisation drone · D
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano D Locrian uses three black keys (E♭, A♭ and B♭) and four white.
D · E♭ · F · G · A♭ · B♭ · C
Try D Locrian on the virtual piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
D Locrian on the guitar
D Locrian - fr 0–12
D Locrian on the staff
Notes of the D Locrian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | E♭ | minor 2nd2m | 1 | |
| 3 | F | minor 3rd3m | 3 | |
| 4 | G | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | A♭ | diminished 5th5d | 6 | |
| 6 | B♭ | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | C | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes D Locrian different
Locrian is the only mode of the major scale with a diminished fifth, so its tonic chord is a diminished triad rather than a major or minor one. That flat fifth is the one note separating it from Phrygian. Without a perfect fifth the tonic never sounds at rest, which is why whole pieces in Locrian are rare and the mode lives mostly in theory, over half-diminished chords in jazz, and in metal riffs. It's the seventh mode of the major scale, so it shares its notes with the major scale a half step above its root. On D, D Locrian has A♭ where D Phrygian has A; every other note is shared with D Phrygian (D E♭ F G A B♭ C).
Modes from D Locrian
Each note of this scale produces a different mode with its own character.
How to use the D Locrian scale
The diatonic chords of D Locrian are: i° = D°, II = E♭, iii = Fm, iv = Gm, V = A♭, VI = B♭, vii = Cm. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in D Locrian. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own diagram and progressions.
Locrian is rare as a tonal centre because of that diminished tonic, but you need to know it for modal theory. Shows up in metal and avant-garde jazz.
Practice tips
Locrian works best as a theoretical exercise. Spell each diatonic chord and notice why that diminished tonic makes it so unstable.
Formula & step pattern
The D Locrian scale follows a minor scale with a flat second and a flat fifth (H-W-W-H-W-W-W). Step pattern: H - W - W - H - W - W - W. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2m · 3m · 4P · 5d · 6m · 7m. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Where you will hear D Locrian
Start with the music described above: listen for D Locrian in it and transcribe a few short phrases by ear. It's the quickest way to learn how the scale sounds.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the D Locrian scale?
The D Locrian scale contains D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭ and C.
What is the formula for the D Locrian scale?
D Locrian follows a minor scale with a flat second and a flat fifth (H-W-W-H-W-W-W).
Is D Locrian a major or minor scale?
D Locrian is a locrian scale. The unstable seventh mode - diminished tonic and a flat fifth, rarely used as tonal centre.
What chords belong to the D Locrian scale?
The diatonic chords of D Locrian are D°, E♭, Fm, Gm, A♭, B♭, Cm.
Which genres use D Locrian?
Locrian is rare as a tonal centre because of that diminished tonic, but you need to know it for modal theory. Shows up in metal and avant-garde jazz.
How do you play the D Locrian scale on the piano?
On the piano D Locrian uses three black keys (E♭, A♭ and B♭) and four white.
What is the difference between D Locrian and D Phrygian?
On D, D Locrian has A♭ where D Phrygian has A; every other note is shared with D Phrygian (D E♭ F G A B♭ C).
How do I practise the D Locrian scale?
Locrian works best as a theoretical exercise. Spell each diatonic chord and notice why that diminished tonic makes it so unstable.