‘D sharp locrian’ is the 7th mode of the E Major scale. The notes in D# locrian are:
D# – E – F# – G# – A – B – C#
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 D# locrian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.
D# Locrian Mode Using The Parallel Approach
D# Major scale has the following notes:
D# – E# – Fx – G# – A# – B# – Cx
If we ‘lower’ the 2nd note (E#), 3rd note (Fx), 5th note (A#), 6th note (B#) and 7th note (Cx), we get the following:
D# – E – F# – G# – A – B – C#
D# Locrian Mode Using The Derivative Approach
D# is the 7th note of the E Major scale:
E – F# – G# – A – B – C# – D#
If we play the E Major scale and start on the 7th note we get the following:
D# – E – F# – G# – A – B – C#
Let’s look at the D# locrian mode in the different positions on the guitar fretboard:
D# Locrian in the Open Position
Firstly, let’s look at the open position:
D# Locrian Mode CAGED Positions
Now let’s look at D# locrian in the 5 different CAGED positions along the fretboard.
D# Locrian Mode CAGED Positions
Now let’s look at D# locrian in the 5 different CAGED positions along the fretboard.
D# Locrian in the 4th Position (Lowest Fret is 4)
D# Locrian in the 5th Position (Lowest Fret is 5)
D# Locrian in the 8th Position (Lowest Fret is 8)
D# Locrian in the 11th Position (Lowest Fret is 11)
D# Locrian in the 12th Position (Lowest Fret is 12)
That covers the 5 basic positions and the open position of D# locrian along the guitar fretboard. For an in depth explanation of the locrian mode, check out locrian mode explained.
Further Reading
- D# diminished chord (D# locrian works well over this chord)
- D#m7b5 chord (D# locrian works well over this chord)
- E Major scale (D# locrian is the seventh mode of the E Major scale)
