‘G sharp locrian’ is the 7th mode of the A Major scale. The notes in G# locrian are:
G# – A – B – C# – D – E – 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# – Fx
If we ‘lower’ the 2nd note (A#), 3rd note (B#), 5th note (D#), 6th note (E#) and 7th note (Fx), we get the following:
G# – A – B – C# – D – E – F#
G# Locrian Mode Using The Derivative Approach
G# is the 7th note of the A Major scale:
A – B – C# – D – E – F# – G#
If we play the A Major scale and start on the 7th note we get the following:
G# – A – B – C# – D – E – 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 1st Position (Lowest Fret is 1)
G# Locrian in the 4th Position (Lowest Fret is 4)
G# Locrian in the 5th Position (Lowest Fret is 5)
G# Locrian in the 9th Position (Lowest Fret is 9)
G# Locrian in the 10th Position (Lowest Fret is 10)
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
- G# diminished chord (G# locrian works well over this chord)
- G#m7b5 chord (G# locrian works well over this chord)
- A Major scale (G# locrian is the seventh mode of the A Major scale)
