‘G locrian’ is the 7th mode of the Ab Major scale. The notes in G locrian are:
G – Ab – Bb – C – Db – Eb – F
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 G locrian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.
G Locrian Mode Using The Parallel Approach
G Major scale has the following notes:
G – A – B – C – D – E – F#
If we ‘lower’ the 2nd note (A), 3rd note (B), 5th note (D), 6th note (E) and 7th note (F#), we get the following:
G – Ab – Bb – C – Db – Eb – F
G Locrian Mode Using The Derivative Approach
G is the 7th note of the Ab Major scale:
Ab – Bb – C – Db – Eb – F – G
If we play the Ab Major scale and start on the 7th note we get the following:
G – Ab – Bb – C – Db – Eb – F
Let’s look at the G locrian mode in the different positions on the guitar fretboard:
G Locrian in the Open Position
Firstly, let’s look at the open position:
G Locrian Mode CAGED Positions
Now let’s look at G locrian in the 5 different CAGED positions along the fretboard.
G Locrian in the 3rd Position (Lowest Fret is 3)
G Locrian in the 4th Position (Lowest Fret is 4)
G Locrian in the 8th Position (Lowest Fret is 8)
G Locrian in the 9th Position (Lowest Fret is 9)
G Locrian in the 12th Position (Lowest Fret is 12)
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
- G diminished chord (G locrian works well over this chord)
- Gm7b5 chord (G locrian works well over this chord)
- Ab Major scale (G locrian is the seventh mode of the Ab Major scale)
