‘A Locrian’ is the 7th mode of the B flat major scale. The notes in A Locrian are:
A – Bb – C – D – Eb – 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 Derivative Approach
A is the 7th note of the Bb major scale:
Bb – C – D – Eb – F – G – A
If we play the Bb Major scale and start on the 7th note we get the following:
A – Bb – C – D – Eb – 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 2nd Position (Lowest Fret is 2)
A Locrian in the 5th Position (Lowest Fret is 5)
A Locrian in the 6th Position (Lowest Fret is 6)
A Locrian in the 10th Position (Lowest Fret is 10)
A Locrian in the 11th Position (Lowest Fret is 11)
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)
- Am7b5 chord (A locrian works well over this chord)
- Bb Major scale (A locrian is the seventh mode of the Bb Major scale)
