D♯ Locrian scale

The D♯ Locrian scale has the notes D♯ E F♯ G♯ A B C♯. Its formula is 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7. It is mode 7 of the E major scale: the same notes, starting on D♯. Key signature: 4 sharps (D♯ F♯ G♯ C♯).

It can also be written as E♭; we use the spelling with fewer accidentals.

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Scale notes

Degree	Formula	Note
I	1	D♯ tonic
II	b2	E
III	b3	F♯
IV	4	G♯
V	b5	A
VI	b6	B
VII	b7	C♯

Chords of the scale

Symbol	Chord	Notes	Chord-scale	Tensions	Avoid
Iø modal center	D♯ø	D♯ F♯ A C♯	Locrian D♯	11 (G♯), b13 (B)	b9 (E)
bIIMaj7	EMaj7	E G♯ B D♯	Ionian E	9 (F♯), 13 (C♯)	11 (A)
bIIIm7	F♯m7	F♯ A C♯ E	Dorian F♯	9 (G♯), 11 (B), 13 (D♯)	–
IVm7	G♯m7	G♯ B D♯ F♯	Phrygian G♯	11 (C♯)	b9 (A), b13 (E)
bVMaj7	AMaj7	A C♯ E G♯	Lydian A	9 (B), #11 (D♯), 13 (F♯)	–
bVI7	B7	B D♯ F♯ A	Mixolydian B	9 (C♯), 13 (G♯)	11 (E)
bVIIm7	C♯m7	C♯ E G♯ B	Aeolian C♯	9 (D♯), 11 (F♯)	b13 (A)

Character and characteristic note

The Locrian mode is the seventh mode of the major scale and the darkest and most unstable. It has a flat second and a flat fifth (b5), so its tonic chord is half-diminished (ø) and it is rarely used as a tonal center.

Effect: unbalanced, very dark.
Characteristic note: b5.

How to use it

Center Iø. No characteristic chords or move: only the characteristic note b5. There are no Locrian pieces; Inner Urge only holds a -7b5.

Examples

Inner Urge (only holds a -7b5)

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the D♯ Locrian scale?

D♯ E F♯ G♯ A B C♯. 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7.

What chords can you build on the D♯ Locrian scale?

The seventh chords on each degree are Iø = D♯ø, bIIMaj7 = EMaj7, bIIIm7 = F♯m7, IVm7 = G♯m7, bVMaj7 = AMaj7, bVI7 = B7, bVIIm7 = C♯m7.