Locrian Mode on Guitar

Before we look at the Locrian mode on guitar in some depth, just a quick recap for those who have just joined us...

Locrian is the 7th mode following Aeolian (6) Mixolydian (5), Lydian (4), Phrygian (3), Dorian (2) and Ionian (1). Therefore, Locrian begins on the 7th note of Ionian.

So we've come to the final mode in the series! Following this lesson, there'll be a closing lesson which will tie it all together (you'll see just how inter-connected the 7 modes are, as well as being individual scales).

So, without further ado, the Locrian mode...

Intervals of Locrian

1 H b2 W b3 W 4 H b5 W b6 W b7 W 8(1)
Hear it (B Locrian) >

Don't know what the W's and H's mean? If so, take the intervals lesson here before you go on.

In the previous lessons, we learned that modes are either major (with a major 3rd interval) or minor (with a minor/flat 3rd interval). Therefore, it looks as if Locrian is minor, due to the flat 3rd.

However, because there is also a flat 5th in the scale, that creates a diminished flavour which, in triad form, is simply 1 b3 b5 . Those are the key tones for Locrian and diminished chords. You can find out about diminished chords in the chord theory section.

The addition of that flat 5th creates a very unstable tension and, therefore, Locrian is seen by most musicians as a very unstable scale/mode that will naturally resolve to a less tense chord (e.g. a major chord) and therefore mode/scale (e.g. Ionian), in the same key.

In light of the above, the other notes of Locrian, which also appear in modes we've looked at previously, won't have their usual function. For example, the flat 2nd in Locrian won't have that flamenco/middle eastern flavour it does in Phrygian, simply because of the context Locrian is most commonly played in. More on playing Locrian over chords later.

Locrian mode on guitar

Just like the other modes, Locrian has a "boxed" pattern from the low E to high E string:

Locrian mode

Finger numbers

Does it seem familiar? It's almost exactly the same as the Ionian boxed pattern! We've just added that extra note on the low E string (for Locrian's root note). This is a perfect example of how modes overlap in sequence. As Locrian is the 7th mode, it is rooted just one semi-tone (1 fret) below Ionian's root in the same key.

More on these relationships in the final lesson of this series.

Let's now look at how best to finger Locrian's boxed pattern:

Locrian fingering

Playing Locrian over chords

Locrian is most commonly used to compliment diminished chords as a bridge between two more stable chords in a chord progression. See the sequence below for example:

Chord:	A minor	B Diminished	C major
Mode:	A Aeolian	B Locrian	C Ionian

Click to hear the chord progression >

Click to hear how Locrian compliments it >

The diminished flavour acts predominantly as a natural, passing link to the major tonic of the chord progression (which is C major in this case). It also acts as a natural, passing link to Aeolian (minor) of the same key. Locrian can compliment that movement over the diminished chord.

Tip: You'll need to think about the landing note you select from Locrian when the diminished chord resolves to the major or minor chord in the progression. Think of Locrian as the lead up to the resolving mode/chord, so the note on that resolving chord (whether major Ionian or minor Aeolian) must help put it all into context.

Here's another example of how Locrian is used to compliment a diminished chord bridge:

Chord:	G Major	B Diminished	A minor
Mode:	G Mixolydian	B Locrian	A Aeolian

Click to hear the chord progression >

Click to hear how Locrian compliments it >

The idea is, you should eventually train your ear to recognise the diminished sound, the tension and instability it creates between the more stable chords in a progression. Once you get that, you'll be able to apply Locrian in the appropriate place, and compliment that diminished sound.

Locrian jam track

So here we are. The last jam track of this series. Using similar ideas from above, I've created an alternating sequence of: B diminished followed by A minor / C major respectively. This will allow you to practise using Locrian, on the B diminished starting chord, as a lead up to the resolving major or minor related chords. This is how Locrian is commonly used.

B Locrian will still "work" over A minor and C major chords because the notes in these chords are all related, as part of the same modal scale. This is the relationship between the modes and their related chords you will come to understand. More on that later...

So remember, we start on B diminished / B Locrian. Below is the diagram which shows you where the boxed pattern for B Locrian sits (fret 7!)

Enjoy!

Download the B Locrian backing track >

Learn how to truly master this scale and expand out of the box using the Guitar Scale Mastery Course.

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