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C♯ Locrian Major Scale

The C♯ Locrian major scale, sometimes referred to as the C♯ major Locrian scale or C♯ Arabian scale, is the 5th mode of the F♯ Neapolitan major scale.

C♯ 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 C♯ Locrian scale.

This page covers everything you need to know about the C♯ Locrian major scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.

C♯ Locrian Major Scale Notes

The C♯ Locrian major scale contains the following notes:

C♯ – D♯ – E♯ – F♯ – G – A – B

These notes come directly from the F♯ Neapolitan major parent scale, starting on its 5th degree (C♯).

C♯ Locrian Major Piano Diagram

This diagram highlights which keys belong to the C♯ Locrian major scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and the overall shape of the scale on the keyboard.

C♯ Locrian Major Scale Formula and Intervals

The interval formula for the Locrian major scale is:

W – W – H – H – W – W – W

Applied to C♯, this gives us:

Thus, C♯ Locrian major is built with the following scale degrees:

This structure gives the Locrian major scale a distinctive sound: it includes a major 3rd (E♯) alongside a diminished 5th (G), creating a bright but unstable quality that is uncommon in traditional major/minor harmony.

Related Scales and Modes

If you enjoy playing in C♯ Locrian major, you may also like:

C♯ Locrian Major Scale FAQs

How is C♯ Locrian major different from C♯ Locrian?

C♯ Locrian major has a major 2nd (D♯) and major 3rd (E♯), while C♯ Locrian has a minor 2nd (D) and minor 3rd (E).

How is C♯ Locrian major different from C♯ natural minor?

C♯ Locrian major has a major 3rd (E♯) and a diminished 5th (G), while C♯ natural minor has a minor 3rd (E) and a perfect 5th (G♯).

How is C♯ Locrian major different from C♯ Phrygian Dominant?

C♯ Locrian major has a major 2nd (D♯) and a diminished 5th (G), while C♯ Phrygian Dominant has a minor 2nd (D) and a perfect 5th (G♯).

What is the parent scale of C♯ Locrian major?

F♯ Neapolitan major. C♯ Locrian major uses the same notes as F♯ Neapolitan major, but starts on its 5th degree (C♯).

Is C♯ Locrian major the same as the C♯ Arabian scale?

C♯ Locrian major is sometimes referred to as the C♯ Arabian scale in Western theory, but this name is informal.

Summary: C♯ Locrian Major Scale