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D Locrian Mode
Also known as: Diminished Scale
Unstable, dissonant, and unsettling. The ♭5 prevents any sense of resolution.
Scale Facts & Direct Summary
The D Locrian Mode consists of the pitches D, D#, F, G, G#, A#, C. Its interval formula is H-W-W-H-W-W-W with relative steps 0-1-3-5-6-8-10. It is widely used in Metal, Jazz, Progressive music for its distinct unstable, dissonant, and unsettling. the ♭5 prevents any sense of resolution..
D Locrian Mode Notes
D1
D#♭2
F♭3
G4
G#♭5
A#♭6
C♭7
D8
Notes: D - D# - F - G - G# - A# - C - D
Scale Formula & Intervals
Interval Pattern
H-W-W-H-W-W-W
W = Whole step (2 semitones), H = Half step (1 semitone)
Scale Degrees
1 - ♭2 - ♭3 - 4 - ♭5 - ♭6 - ♭7
Scale degrees relative to the root note
Semitones from Root
01356810
Famous Songs Using This Scale
1
Army of Me
Björk
2
YYZ (sections)
Rush
Practice Tips for D Locrian Mode
- ✓The 7th mode of the major scale
- ✓The only mode with a diminished 5th
- ✓Rarely used as a tonal center due to instability
- ✓Great for creating tension and unease
Common Genres
MetalJazzProgressiveExperimentalFilm Scores
Practice This Scale
Use our interactive scale practice tool to hear and learn the D Locrian Mode.
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