‘F locrian’ is the 7th mode of the Gb Major scale. The notes in F locrian are:
F – Gb – Ab – Bb – Cb – Db – Eb
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 F locrian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.
F Locrian Mode Using The Parallel Approach
F Major scale has the following notes:
F – G – A – Bb – C – D – E
If we ‘lower’ the 2nd note (G), 3rd note (A), 5th note (C), 6th note (D) and 7th note (E), we get the following:
F – Gb – Ab – Bb – Cb – Db – Eb
F Locrian Mode Using The Derivative Approach
F is the 7th note of the Gb Major scale:
Gb – Ab – Bb – Cb – Db – Eb – F
If we play the Gb Major scale and start on the 7th note we get the following:
F – G – A – Bb – C – D – E
Let’s look at the F locrian mode in the different positions on the guitar fretboard:
F Locrian in the Open Position
Firstly, let’s look at the open position:
F Locrian Mode CAGED Positions
Now let’s look at F locrian in the 5 different CAGED positions along the fretboard.
F Locrian in the 1st Position (Lowest Fret is 1)
F Locrian in the 2nd Position (Lowest Fret is 2)
F Locrian in the 6th Position (Lowest Fret is 6)
F Locrian in the 7th Position (Lowest Fret is 7)
F Locrian in the 10th Position (Lowest Fret is 10)
That covers the 5 basic positions and the open position of F locrian along the guitar fretboard. For an in depth explanation of the locrian mode, check out locrian mode explained.
Further Reading
- F diminished chord (F locrian works well over this chord)
- Fm7b5 chord (F locrian works well over this chord)
- Gb Major scale (F locrian is the seventh mode of the Gb Major scale)
