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G♭ Locrian Major Scale

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

G♭ 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 G♭ Locrian scale.

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

G♭ Locrian Major Scale Notes

The G♭ Locrian major scale contains the following notes:

G♭ – A♭ – B♭ – C♭ – D♭♭ – E♭♭ – F♭

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

G♭ Locrian Major Piano Diagram

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

G♭ Locrian Major Scale Formula and Intervals

The interval formula for the Locrian major scale is:

W – W – H – H – W – W – W

Applied to G♭, this gives us:

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

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

Related Scales and Modes

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

G♭ Locrian Major Scale FAQs

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is the parent scale of G♭ Locrian major?

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

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

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

Summary: G♭ Locrian Major Scale