A LOCRIAN MODE

‘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.

Parallel Approach:

A Major has the following notes:

A – B – C# – D – E – F# – G#

If we ‘lower’ the 2nd note (B), 3rd note (C#), 5th note (E), 6th note (F#) and 7th note (G#), we get the following:

A – Bb – C – D – Eb – F – G

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:

Positions Along the Fretboard:

Firstly, let’s look at the open position:

Now let’s look at A locrian in the 2nd position (lowest fret is 2)

Now let’s look at A locrian in the 5th position (lowest fret is 5)

Now let’s look at A locrian in the 6th position (lowest fret is 6)

Now let’s look at A locrian in the 10th position (lowest fret is 10)

Finally, let’s look at A locrian in the 11th position (lowest fret is 11)

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.