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♭ – CThese 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 – WApplied to D, this gives us:
- D → E
- E → F♯
- F♯ → G
- G → A♭
- A♭ → B♭
- B♭ → C
- C → D
Thus, D Locrian major is built with the following scale degrees:
- Root (D)
- Major 2nd (E)
- Major 3rd (F♯)
- Perfect 4th (G)
- Diminished 5th (A♭)
- Minor 6th (B♭)
- Minor 7th (C)
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 (D Locrian major with a flat 2nd and 3rd)
- D natural minor (D Locrian major with a flat 3rd and raised 5th)
- D Phrygian Dominant (D Locrian major with a flat 2nd and raised 5th)
- G Neapolitan major (parent scale)
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
- Notes: D, E, F♯, G, A♭, B♭, C
- Mode: 5th mode of G Neapolitan major
- Formula: W, W, H, H, W, W, W