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The Locrian Mode

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This course is a detailed look at the Locrian mode, which is one of the less-frequently used modes. This mode works is typically used over the diminished chord and has a very dark sound.

The course initially focuses on the B Locrian mode, which belongs to the home key of C major. You’ll first learn to play it all over the fingerboard using the 'content over patterns' system, after which there are a series of bass grooves to study that put the mode to use. Some of the later exercises will utilise the Locrian mode from other keys. By the end of this course you should be familiar with the sound of the mode.

As you work through this material, you might find the following courses useful (all included in the monthly subscription cost):

Don’t forget to hit the Download Resources button above to get the PDF worksheet and audio files for this piece (available to subscribers only).

This course is 28 MINUTES long and contains the following videos, each of which can be selected from the video player above:

1. Introduction to the Locrian Mode

This video covers the basic theory behind the Locrian mode. It also discusses the unique sound of the mode and the ways in which it is commonly used.

2. Playing the Locrian Mode

This lesson will get you playing the F Lydian mode all over the fingerboard. Here, the focus will be on the notes themselves, not on any restrictive fretboard patterns.

3. Exercise #1

This exercise uses the B Locrian mode, from the home key of C major. The fills accent the flattened second (C) and fifth (F), the two most characteristic notes of the mode.

4. Exercise #2

This exercise uses the E Locrian mode (E-F-G-A-Bb-C-D-E), from the home key of F major. This line sounds great if you can allow the low E to ring as long as possible.

5. Exercise #3

This heavily syncopated fingerstyle funk groove uses the F# Locrian mode (F#-G-A-B-C-D-E-F#), from the home key of G major.

6. Exercise #4

This bassline uses the D Locrian mode (D-Eb-F-G-Ab-Bb-C-D), from the home key of Eb major. The implied Dm7b5 chord is clearly outlined in the first and third bars.

7. Exercise #5

This is funk groove that uses the E Locrian mode (E-F-G-A-Bb-C-D-E), from the home key of F major. It’s important that you keep all notes staccato where possible here.