When learning to play a mode all over the fingerboard, it’s also important to put it to use in some actual lines, so that you can hear it in action. This piece – which is based on the B Locrian mode – will enable you to become comfortable with using the mode, whilst giving your fingers a good workout at the same time!
In this video course I’ll be talking you through the Locrian mode and which chord it works with. I’ll then be breaking this piece down, section by section, and showing you how to play it.
Don’t forget to hit the Download Resources button above to get hold of the PDF transcription and the audio files for this piece (available to subscribers only). This course contains the following videos, each of which can be selected from the video player above.
This video is a demonstration of this study piece, performed on a Mayones Viking bass. As you’ll see/hear, this piece requires extensive use of slapping and strumming techniques.
In this video I’ll be talking about the Locrian mode, focusing on its distinguishing features and discussing which chord to play it with.
In this video we’ll be working through the opening section of this piece. The bass plays chords in this section, interspersed with Locrian-based fills. This lesson covers bars 1-7.
This lesson covers the B section, which features a slapped/strummed bass part that uses the B Locrian mode. This is a quirky, unusual bass part and was inspired by the playing of Primus bassist Les Claypool. This lesson covers bars 8-13.
The C section of this piece continues with the same bass part as the B section, although with a tricky ascending phrase that leads to the next part of the piece. This lesson covers bars 14-17.
The D section features an upper register melodic line that is played using the fingerstyle technique. This section is once again based on the B Locrian mode and includes some interesting open string hammer-on figures. This lesson covers bars 18-25.
The E section is the final part of this piece. This line is based on the bass part from the B section, but with some additional embellishments. This section should be played very aggressively. This lesson covers bars 26-31.