‘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.
A# Locrian Mode Using The Parallel Approach
A# Major scale 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#
A# Locrian Mode Using The 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:
A# Locrian in the Open Position
Firstly, let’s look at the open position:
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 3rd Position (Lowest Fret is 3)
A# Locrian in the 6th Position (Lowest Fret is 6)
A# Locrian in the 7th Position (Lowest Fret is 7)
A# Locrian in the 11th Position (Lowest Fret is 11)
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.
Further Reading
- A# diminished chord (A# locrian works well over this chord)
- A#m7b5 chord (A# locrian works well over this chord)
- B Major scale (A# locrian is the seventh mode of the B Major scale)
