A SHARP LOCRIAN MODE

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

A# – B – C# – D# – E – 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# – Cx – D# – E# – Fx – Gx

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

A# – B – C# – D# – E – F# – G#

Derivative Approach:

A# is the 7th note of the B major scale:

B – C# – D# – E – F# – G# – A#

If we play the B major scale and start on the 7th note we get the following:

A# – B – C# – D# – E – 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 3rd position (lowest fret is 3)

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

Now let’s look at A# locrian in the 7th position (lowest fret is 7)

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

Finally, let’s look at A# locrian in the 12th position (lowest fret is 12)

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.