D Locrian Mode

The D Locrian Mode has a diminished quality due to its Minor Third F and Diminished Fifth A. The Locrian Mode, like D Locrian, is one of seven diatonic modes originally formed using just the natural notes (think just the white keys on a piano) but starting on a particular note, B in the case of the Locrian Mode, which creates a unique sequence of intervals. This mode can then be transposed to any key such as D Locrian Mode in this example. D Locrian Mode is classified as a heptatonic scale as it has seven notes, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. The D Locrian Mode is also known as a diatonic scale which conforms to specific rules.

Below you will find the D Locrian Mode notes, notation, patterns, degrees, intervals and more. You can also opt to see the D Locrian Mode on your preferred instrument.

Theoretical Only

The D Locrian Mode is considered theoretical only as it has double sharps or flats in the key signature.

The usual alternative is the enharmonic equivalent C♯ Locrian Mode

Notes Ascending

D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D

Notes Descending

D, C, B, A, G, F, E, D

Pattern Ascending

S, T, T, S, T, T, T

S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)

Pattern Descending

T, T, T, S, T, T, S

S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)

Degrees Ascending

NoteNumberName
D1Tonic
E2Supertonic
F3Mediant
G4Subdominant
A5Dominant
B6Submediant
C7Subtonic
D8Tonic (Octave)

Degrees Descending

NoteNumberName
D8Tonic (Octave)
C7Subtonic
B6Submediant
A5Dominant
G4Subdominant
F3Mediant
E2Supertonic
D1Tonic

Intervals Ascending

NotesSemitonesInterval
D > D0Perfect Unison (P1)
D > E1minor 2nd (m2)
D > F3minor 3rd (m3)
D > G5Perfect 4th (P4)
D > A6Diminished 5th (d5 or Tritone)
D > B8minor 6th (m6)
D > C10minor 7th (m7)
D > D12Perfect Octave (P8)

Intervals Descending

NotesSemitonesInterval
D > D0Perfect Unison (P1)
D > C2Major 2nd (M2)
D > B4Major 3rd (M3)
D > A6Augmented 4th (A4 or Tritone)
D > G7Perfect 5th (P5)
D > F9Major 6th (M6)
D > E11Major 7th (M7)
D > D12Perfect Octave (P8)

Modes related to D Locrian Mode

Enharmonic Equivalent Mode

Scale with the same root and notes as the D Locrian Mode but different spelling.

C♯ Locrian Mode

Chords related to D Locrian Mode

Related Triads

These chords have been built using the notes of the D Locrian Mode. The chords are in degree order and shown in Roman numerals (lowercase = minor/diminished, uppercase = Major/Augmented).

io Chord - D Diminished

II Chord - D Major

iii Chord - F Minor

iv Chord - G Minor

V Chord - G Major

VI Chord - A Major

vii Chord - C Minor

Learn to Play D Locrian Mode

Instrument View

See D Locrian Mode on

If you want to learn what scales and modes are and much more, check out our free Fundamentals of Music Theory course. If you already know some of the basics, you can jump straight into the scales lesson.

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