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D♭ Locrian Major Scale

The D♭ Locrian major scale, sometimes referred to as the D♭ major Locrian scale or D♭ Arabian scale, is the 5th mode of the G♭ Neapolitan major scale.

D♭ 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 D♭ Locrian scale.

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

D♭ Locrian Major Scale Notes

The D♭ Locrian major scale contains the following notes:

D♭ – E♭ – F – G♭ – A♭♭ – B♭♭ – C♭

These notes come directly from the G♭ Neapolitan major parent scale, starting on its 5th degree (D♭).

D♭ Locrian Major Piano Diagram

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

D♭ Locrian Major Scale Formula and Intervals

The interval formula for the Locrian major scale is:

W – W – H – H – W – W – W

Applied to D♭, this gives us:

Thus, D♭ Locrian major is built with the following scale degrees:

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

Related Scales and Modes

If you enjoy playing in D♭ Locrian major, you may also like:

D♭ Locrian Major Scale FAQs

How is D♭ Locrian major different from D♭ Locrian?

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

How is D♭ Locrian major different from D♭ natural minor?

D♭ Locrian major has a major 3rd (F) and a diminished 5th (A♭♭), while D♭ natural minor has a minor 3rd (F♭) and a perfect 5th (A♭).

How is D♭ Locrian major different from D♭ Phrygian Dominant?

D♭ Locrian major has a major 2nd (E♭) and a diminished 5th (A♭♭), while D♭ Phrygian Dominant has a minor 2nd (E♭♭) and a perfect 5th (A♭).

What is the parent scale of D♭ Locrian major?

G♭ Neapolitan major. D♭ Locrian major uses the same notes as G♭ Neapolitan major, but starts on its 5th degree (D♭).

Is D♭ Locrian major the same as the D♭ Arabian scale?

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

Summary: D♭ Locrian Major Scale