A Locrian Mode on the Guitar – 5 CAGED Positions, Tabs and Theory

‘A Locrian’ is the 7th mode of the B flat major scale. The notes in A Locrian are:

A – Bb – C – D – Eb – F – G

If you have read the post on understanding the locrian mode, you will know that the locrian mode contains a ‘flat 2’, a ‘flat 3’ a ‘flat 5’ a ‘flat 6’ and a ‘flat 7’ (parallel approach). You will also know that it is the 7th mode of the major scale (derivative approach). The locrian mode is a very ‘dark’ sounding mode and is probably the hardest of the 7 modes to get acquainted with. Let’s briefly look at how to construct A locrian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.

A Locrian Mode Using The Derivative Approach

A is the 7th note of the Bb major scale:

Bb – C – D – Eb – F – G – A

If we play the Bb Major scale and start on the 7th note we get the following:

A – Bb – C – D – Eb – F – G

Let’s look at the A locrian mode in the different positions on the guitar fretboard:

A Locrian in the Open Position

Firstly, let’s look at the open position:

A Locrian Mode Open Position Frets
A Locrian Mode Open Position Notes

A Locrian Mode CAGED Positions

Now let’s look at A locrian in the 5 different CAGED positions along the fretboard.

A Locrian in the 2nd Position (Lowest Fret is 2)

A Locrian Mode 2nd Position Frets
A Locrian Mode 2nd Position Notes

A Locrian in the 5th Position (Lowest Fret is 5)

A Locrian Mode 5th Position Frets
A Locrian Mode 5th Position Notes

A Locrian in the 6th Position (Lowest Fret is 6)

A Locrian Mode 6th Position Frets
A Locrian Mode 6th Position Notes

A Locrian in the 10th Position (Lowest Fret is 10)

A Locrian Mode 10th Position Frets
A Locrian Mode 10th Position Notes

A Locrian in the 11th Position (Lowest Fret is 11)

A Locrian Mode 11th Position Frets
A Locrian Mode 11th Position Notes

That covers the 5 basic positions and the open position of A locrian along the guitar fretboard. For an in depth explanation of the locrian mode, check out locrian mode explained.

Further Reading

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