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E♭ Locrian Major Scale

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

E♭ 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 E♭ Locrian scale.

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

E♭ Locrian Major Scale Notes

The E♭ Locrian major scale contains the following notes:

E♭ – F – G – A♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ – D♭

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

E♭ Locrian Major Piano Diagram

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

E♭ Locrian Major Scale Formula and Intervals

The interval formula for the Locrian major scale is:

W – W – H – H – W – W – W

Applied to E♭, this gives us:

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

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

Related Scales and Modes

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

E♭ Locrian Major Scale FAQs

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is the parent scale of E♭ Locrian major?

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

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

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

Summary: E♭ Locrian Major Scale