A Locrian Major Scale
The A Locrian major scale, sometimes referred to as the A major Locrian scale or A Arabian scale, is the 5th mode of the D Neapolitan major scale.
A Locrian major is a rare scale and is not frequently used in contemporary music. It can be derived by raising the 2nd and 3rd of the A Locrian scale.
This page covers everything you need to know about the A Locrian major scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.
A Locrian Major Scale Notes
The A Locrian major scale contains the following notes:
A – B – C♯ – D – E♭ – F – GThese notes come directly from the D Neapolitan major parent scale, starting on its 5th degree (A).
A Locrian Major Piano Diagram
This diagram highlights which keys belong to the A Locrian major scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and the overall shape of the scale on the keyboard.
A Locrian Major Scale Formula and Intervals
The interval formula for the Locrian major scale is:
W – W – H – H – W – W – WApplied to A, this gives us:
- A → B
- B → C♯
- C♯ → D
- D → E♭
- E♭ → F
- F → G
- G → A
Thus, A Locrian major is built with the following scale degrees:
- Root (A)
- Major 2nd (B)
- Major 3rd (C♯)
- Perfect 4th (D)
- Diminished 5th (E♭)
- Minor 6th (F)
- Minor 7th (G)
This structure gives the Locrian major scale a distinctive sound: it includes a major 3rd (C♯) alongside a diminished 5th (E♭), creating a bright but unstable quality that is uncommon in traditional major/minor harmony.
Related Scales and Modes
If you enjoy playing in A Locrian major, you may also like:
- A Locrian (A Locrian major with a flat 2nd and 3rd)
- A natural minor (A Locrian major with a flat 3rd and raised 5th)
- A Phrygian Dominant (A Locrian major with a flat 2nd and raised 5th)
- D Neapolitan major (parent scale)
A Locrian Major Scale FAQs
How is A Locrian major different from A Locrian?
A Locrian major has a major 2nd (B) and major 3rd (C♯), while A Locrian has a minor 2nd (B♭) and minor 3rd (C).
How is A Locrian major different from A natural minor?
A Locrian major has a major 3rd (C♯) and a diminished 5th (E♭), while A natural minor has a minor 3rd (C) and a perfect 5th (E).
How is A Locrian major different from A Phrygian Dominant?
A Locrian major has a major 2nd (B) and a diminished 5th (E♭), while A Phrygian Dominant has a minor 2nd (B♭) and a perfect 5th (E).
What is the parent scale of A Locrian major?
D Neapolitan major. A Locrian major uses the same notes as D Neapolitan major, but starts on its 5th degree (A).
Is A Locrian major the same as the A Arabian scale?
A Locrian major is sometimes referred to as the A Arabian scale in Western theory, but this name is informal.
Summary: A Locrian Major Scale
- Notes: A, B, C♯, D, E♭, F, G
- Mode: 5th mode of D Neapolitan major
- Formula: W, W, H, H, W, W, W