D Locrian Scale
The D Locrian scale contains D – Eb – F – G – Ab – Bb – C. It uses 3 flats: Bb, Eb and Ab.
D Locrian scale chart
Sharps and flats
D Locrian has 3 flats: Bb, Eb and Ab. Its parent major scale is Eb major, which uses the same notes. See the chords in the key of Eb major.
Scale degrees
| Degree | Note | Semitones from D |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | 0 |
| b2 | Eb | 1 |
| b3 | F | 3 |
| 4 | G | 5 |
| b5 | Ab | 6 |
| b6 | Bb | 8 |
| b7 | C | 10 |
Step pattern
The Locrian scale is built from the pattern H – W – W – H – W – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step). Apply that pattern from any starting note and you get the same mode in a different key.
Chords in D Locrian
Building a triad on each degree of the scale gives you the chords that belong to it. These are the chords to reach for when writing in D Locrian.
| Degree | Numeral | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | i° | Ddim | D F Ab |
| 2 | II | Eb | Eb G Bb |
| 3 | iii | Fm | F Ab C |
| 4 | iv | Gm | G Bb D |
| 5 | V | Ab | Ab C Eb |
| 6 | VI | Bb | Bb D F |
| 7 | vii | Cm | C Eb G |
Other modes on D
More scales on D
Locrian scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the D Locrian scale?
The D Locrian scale contains D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, then returns to D an octave higher.
How many flats are in D Locrian?
D Locrian has 3 flats: Bb, Eb and Ab.
What is the step pattern of the Locrian scale?
The Locrian scale follows the whole/half step pattern H – W – W – H – W – W – W, where W is a whole step (two semitones) and H is a half step (one semitone).
Which chords work with the D Locrian scale?
The diatonic chords are Ddim, Eb, Fm, Gm, Ab, Bb, Cm. Each is built only from notes of the D Locrian scale, so they all belong to the same tonality — though the diminished chord carries a tritone and normally wants to resolve.