fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON TRUMPET IN BB

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 3 title D Locrian Verovio
Tempo120 bpm

Playback sounds a major 2nd below the written notation — the instrument's concert (sounding) pitch.

Audio source: tonejs-instruments by Nick Brosowsky (MIT)

FingeringFollows the scale as it plays — written pitch, matches the staff
D123partial 3
Harmonic seriesTube of the tonic fingering — D sounds partial 3
partial 1 — G2 (+0¢)1partial 2 — G3 (+0¢)2partial 3 — D4 (+2¢)3partial 4 — G4 (+0¢)4partial 5 — B4 (-14¢)5partial 6 — D5 (+2¢)6partial 7 — F5 (-31¢)7-31¢partial 8 — G5 (+0¢)8partial 9 — A5 (+4¢)9partial 10 — B5 (-14¢)10
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 Trumpet in Bb?

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.