B FLAT LOCRIAN MODE

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

Cb – Db – Eb – Fb – Gb – Ab – Bb

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 Bb locrian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.

Parallel Approach:

Bb Major has the following notes:

Bb – C – D – Eb – F – G – A

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

Cb – Db – Eb – Fb – Gb – Ab – Bb

Derivative Approach:

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

Cb – Db – Eb -Fb – Gb – Ab – Bb

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

Cb – Db – Eb – Fb – Gb – Ab – Bb

Let’s look at the Bb 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 Bb locrian in the 3rd position (lowest fret is 3)

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

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

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

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

That covers the 5 basic positions and the open position of Bb locrian along the guitar fretboard.

For an in depth explanation of the locrian mode, check out locrian mode explained.