fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON BASS TROMBONE

D♭ Locrian

Diminished tonic. Rare in practice; theoretical more than functional.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
Choose a root
Meter:Octave per barCrotchets in 4/4Quavers in 4/4Triplets in 4/4
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 5 title D♭ Locrian
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 2 4 6 8 title D♭ Locrian
Verovio
Tempo120 bpm

Audio source: synthesised in-browser via Tone.js (MIT)

FingeringFollows the scale as it plays — written pitch, matches the staff
D♭F triggerFG♭ triggerG♭1234567partial 2
Harmonic seriesTube of the tonic fingering — D♭ sounds partial 2
partial 1 — C♯1 (+0¢)1partial 2 — C♯2 (+0¢)2partial 3 — G♯2 (+2¢)3partial 4 — C♯3 (+0¢)4partial 5 — F3 (-14¢)5partial 6 — G♯3 (+2¢)6partial 7 — B3 (-31¢)7-31¢partial 8 — C♯4 (+0¢)8
Related scales
Diatonic chord harmonisation
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
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Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the D♭ Locrian scale?

The D♭ Locrian scale uses the notes D♭, E𝄫, F♭, G♭, A𝄫, B𝄫, C♭ (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).

What's the Locrian scale formula?

The Locrian scale follows the interval pattern H W W H W W W, where W = whole step (2 semitones) and H = half step (1 semitone). Apply that pattern starting on D♭ to get the D♭ Locrian scale.

What chords work over D♭ Locrian?

Locrian works over m7♭5 (half-diminished) chords — the ii of a minor ii–V–i. Locrian ♮6 is often a better fit.

How do I finger D♭ Locrian on Bass Trombone?

On brass, scales train embouchure + valve / slide coordination across the partials. Slow practice with a tuner reveals intonation tendencies (e.g., the 5th partial sharp on trumpet).

When would I use the Locrian scale?

Diminished tonic. Rare in practice; theoretical more than functional.