The Locrian Mode Guitar Lesson
The Locrian Mode
The final lesson in our mode series covers the Locrian mode. The Locrian mode is not used nearly as often as the other modes Brad has taught. However, it is still extremely valuable.
Brad gives his final thoughts on all the modes you have learned. He explains some tips that will help you apply them to a practical, musical situation.
Taught by Brad Henecke in Rock Guitar with Brad Henecke seriesLength: 9:00Difficulty: 3.0 of 5
Brad wraps up his discussion of the modes with the Locrian mode. This mode is built from the seventh scale degree of the parent major scale. Remember that all of Brad's modal lessons are based on the parent scale of G major. As a result, you will learn the F# Locrian mode in this lesson. Like Brad mentions, this particular mode is not used very often in the rock genre. However, this mode is used rather frequently in jazz and classical music.
Brad has not included a JamTrack for this lesson. However, a sample Locrian vamp can be found under the Supplemental Content tab.
Whole and Half Step Relationships
Analyze the whole and half step relationships within this mode. This mode begins with a half step followed by a whole step. This indicates that the third scale degree of the mode is minor. This mode also features a b5 scale degree. As a result, the Locrian mode has an overall diminished quality.
The Locrian mode is used in the jazz and classical genres to compose melodies or improvised solos over diminished triads and MI7(b5) chords. MI7(b5) chords can also be labeled as half diminished seventh chords. A small circle with a slash drawn through it indicates a half diminished seventh chord. Compare the spelling of the Locrian mode to the following diminished chords:
F# Locrian mode: F#, G, A, B, C, D, E, F#
F# diminished triad: F#, A, C
F#MI7(b5) aka F# half diminished 7th: F#, A, C, E
F#o7: F#, A, C, Eb
As you can see, the notes that comprise the first two diminished chords are also found within the Locrian mode. However, the last chord, F#o7, contains an Eb. The F# Locrian mode contains an E natural. For this reason, the Locrian mode is NOT a valid scale choice when playing over a fully diminished seventh chord.
Diminished Scale Confusion
The Locrian mode is frequently confused with whole/half diminished scales. They are not the same thing. For more information regarding the diminished scales, check out Matt Brown's Phase 2 jazz lessons.
F# Locrian Fretboard Pattern
Note: Open the Supplemental Content tab for the most common fingering of the Locrian mode.
A yellow circle indicates the root note of this scale. The numbers within the circles represent each scale degree relative to the parent scale of G major. Do not confuse these numbers with fret locations or fingering indications. Similar to the other modal patterns taught in this series, the Locrian pattern features three notes on most of the strings. The second string is the only exception. This feature of the pattern enables you to play rapid triplet lines using hammer-ons and pull-offs. Brad applied this technique in his introduction music.
Fingering of the Pattern
This is by far the easiest modal pattern to play. This is due to the fact that the pattern contains no position shifts or finger stretches. Brad demonstrates this pattern in 14th position. This pattern can also be played an octave lower in 2nd position.
Practice this scale pattern slowly in eighth notes. Make sure that you always practice along with a metronome.
Primary Triads
There are no primary triads for the Locrian mode. This is due to the fact that the tonic chord is a diminished triad. Diminished chords are inherently unstable. They need to resolve to something else.
Chapter 3: (04:09) Modes and Their Uses At this point, you have learned all seven modes of the G major scale. All seven of these modes can be derived from any parent major scale. For example, Brad explains how these modes relate to the key of A major. The Ionian mode is built off the first scale degree, A. The Dorian mode is built from the second scale degree, B.
Your next logical step is to learn how to play every mode in all 12 keys. You must also begin to familiarize yourself with improvising using these modes in all 12 keys. For suggestions regarding this process, pick up the book The Advancing Guitarist by Mick Goodrick. Mick is a world-renowned jazz guitarist who has performed with the likes of Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, and Charlie Haden.
Supplemental Learning Material
Rock Guitar with Brad Henecke
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsIn this Phase 2 series Brad Henecke will school you in the art of rock guitar. You will not only learn how to play some of your favorite songs in this series, but you will also learn how to create your own.
Lesson 1
Basic Rock Guitar
This lesson covers the absolute basics of rock guitar. Learn about the electric guitar, pickups, amplifiers, changing strings, and more.
Length: 52:09 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Learning Chords
The first step of your rock guitar experience is learning some of the more popular chords and that is what this lesson is all about.
Length: 42:30 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Barre Chords and More
Brad Henecke introduces common strumming patterns and barre chords.
Length: 42:23 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Your First Song
In this lesson Brad covers some of the more advanced barre chord shapes. He applies these shapes to the song "Hotel California."
Length: 41:31 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Blues and Scales
Rock has its roots in the blues. Brad helps you explore the wonderful world of blues in this lesson. He also covers some chord theory.
Length: 48:14 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Tricks and Lead
This lesson is all about specific techniques used by lead guitarists.
Length: 52:02 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Jammin With Scales
This lesson details how to improvise with the blues scale.
Length: 27:27 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
3 Songs
In this fun lesson, Brad Henecke teaches you riffs from 3 classic rock songs.
Length: 28:28 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Power Chords
Power chords help give rock music that "punch you in the face" feel. Learn basic power chords in this lesson.
Length: 13:22 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
2 New Songs
Are you ready to learn "Ain't Talking About Love" by Van Halen and "You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC? That's what this lesson is all about.
Length: 27:32 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Pentatonic Scale
In this lesson Brad teaches the first pattern of the minor pentatonic scale and explains how it relates to the blues scale.
Length: 14:30 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Second Position
Brad covers the second pattern for both the minor blues and minor pentatonic scales.
Length: 9:07 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Message in a Bottle
Learn the classic rock song "Message in a Bottle."
Length: 10:22 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Third Position
This great lesson covers the 3rd fretboard pattern of the minor pentatonic and minor blues scales.
Length: 7:19 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Colorful Chord Tension
Brad demonstrates how open strings can be added to chord shapes you are already familiar with.
Length: 9:09 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
The 4th Position
Brad covers the 4th pattern of the minor pentatonic and minor blues scales.
Length: 8:28 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Daytripper
In this lesson Brad demonstrates how to play the Beatles song "Daytripper."
Length: 15:21 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
The 5th Position
Brad demonstrates the 5th pattern of the minor pentatonic and minor blues scales. He also discusses practicing and memorizing them.
Length: 13:05 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
"Brown Eyed Girl"
Learn the classic rock song "Brown Eyed Girl" in this episode of Rock Guitar.
Length: 11:23 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Phrasing
Brad introduces you to the importance of phrasing. Quality phrasing is essential when performing any melodic line.
Length: 14:19 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Basics of Tapping
Tapping is an idiomatic guitar technique that offers a unique sound.
Length: 14:34 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Intro to Modes
Learning the modes is essential to the development of your scale vocabulary.
Length: 31:04 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Understanding Chord Shapes
Brad further explains what chord shapes are and how they relate to barre chords.
Length: 10:15 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Natural Harmonics
Learn the right and left hand mechanics involved in playing harmonics.
Length: 13:16 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Advanced Harmonics
Brad covers more advanced harmonic techniques such as harp harmonics, pinch harmonics and tap harmonics.
Length: 16:10 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
The Dorian Mode
Brad moves on in his modal lesson series to explain the Dorian mode. Includes 2 backing tracks.
Length: 22:00 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Phrygian Mode
Brad explains and demonstrates the Phrygian mode.
Length: 13:33 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
The Lydian mode
Brad continues his discussion of the modes. You will learn the Lydian mode in this lesson.
Length: 9:27 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Mixolydian Mode
Brad explains the Mixolydian mode and its practical applications.
Length: 10:00 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
The Aeolian Mode
Continuing with his modal lessons, Brad Henecke teaches the Aeolian mode.
Length: 9:09 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
The Locrian Mode
The final lesson in our modal series covers the Locrian mode.
Length: 9:00 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
The Ace Zone
Brad teaches some licks inspired by Ace Frehley of KISS. Incorporate these licks into your own solos.
Length: 7:18 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Learn Licks
In this lesson Brad Henecke teaches you some fun licks that can be used in your own guitar solos.
Length: 10:00 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Blues Licks
Brad Henecke demonstrates some cool blues licks.
Length: 17:00 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Modes and Scales
Brad Henecke provides an alternate way of comparing modes and scales.
Length: 8:00 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
A Different View
In the last lesson, Brad Henecke compared some scales that are major or dominant in quality. Now, he repeats this process with minor scales.
Length: 7:00 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
One String Scales
This lesson is all about 1 string scales. Learning scales on 1 string is essential to your knowledge of the fretboard.
Length: 8:34 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
One String Ionian Mode
Brad demonstrates a one string version of the Ionian mode. This lesson demonstrates the importance of horizontal scales.
Length: 7:27 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Aeolian Mode on One String
Brad continues his discussion of single string scales. He explains how to play the Aeolian mode across a single string.
Length: 4:11 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Octave Scales
Brad explains how to locate octaves within scale patterns. He demonstrates a cool lick that involves playing simultaneous octaves.
Length: 7:07 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Using Octaves
Brad explains how to use octaves in the context of an exercise. Octaves can also be used to build effective licks.
Length: 5:18 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Harmonic Minor Scale
Brad introduces the harmonic minor scale. He explains how it can be applied to the solo break in "Sweet Child O' Mine."
Length: 7:00 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Learning by Ear
Brad Henecke provides valuable tips regarding the process of learning songs by ear.
Length: 23:00 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Ear Training Game
Improve your ear training by playing "The Tone Is Right" with Brad Henecke.
Length: 29:00 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Diminished Arpeggio
Brad Henecke explains diminished chords and provides a fun diminished arpeggio exercise.
Length: 19:00 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Understanding Time Signatures
Brad Henecke addresses time signatures.
Length: 10:00 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Diminished Chords
Brad Henecke explains the construction of diminished seventh chords. He also provides a diminished chord exercise.
Length: 10:30 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Open G Tuning
Brad Henecke introduces open G tuning in this lesson.
Length: 23:50 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Drop D Tuning
Brad Henecke introduces drop D tuning in this lesson. He explains many advantages of this tuning.
Length: 12:57 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
G Major Pentatonic
Brad Henecke teaches the G major pentatonic scale. He demonstrates all 5 patterns and explains how they can be transposed to any key.
Length: 22:50 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Changing Scales with Chords
In this lesson Brad Henecke talks about changing the pentatonic/blues scales with each chord in a chord progression.
Length: 11:08 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Mixolydian Scale and Chords
Brad will show how to use the Mixolydian scale with a blues chord progression.
Length: 6:56 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Gear and Effects
This lesson is all about gear and effects. Brad begins his discussion with power conditioning and removing hiss from your amplifier. He progresses to discuss a plethora of effects pedals. Brad explores...
Length: 52:48 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
The Wah Pedal
In this lesson, Brad Henecke introduces the wah pedal and demonstrates its many applications.
Length: 15:53 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
About Brad Henecke
View Full Biography
Brad Henecke was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on May 5th of 1963. He has been a fan of music for as long as he & his family can remember. You could always find him running around the farm wailing on his cardboard guitar, pretending to be a member of the rock band KISS. Additional inspiration came during his first concert when he got the chance to see Boston & Sammy Hagar in the early 1970's.
This opened up a whole new world of rock and roll music for him; his parents noticed his growing interest in music and enrolled him into guitar lessons when he was 13.
From there he jumped into two years of lessons at a local music store in Cedar Rapids. After discovering Eddie Van Halen, Brad knew that the
guitar would always be a part of his life. He took his love throughout the city as he played as a pit musician & jammed at parties for friends.
This made him thirsty for more. He enrolled classes at Kirkwood Community College & also took lessons from the one & only Craig-Erickson (www.craig-erickson.com).
His love for music landed him a gig opening for Molly Hatchet in Cedar Rapids with a band called "Slap & Tickle". He has also played in the Greeley
Stampede show for quite a few years with "True North".
Brad is currently playing in Greeley, Colorado with a rock band titled "Ragged Doll". They play a wide variety of music with an emphasis on
classic rock from the 60's to present, with Brad playing electric guitar in the five piece lineup.
He currently jams on his all-time favorite guitar: a Paul Reed Smith Custom 24. Beyond guitar, he plays also plays drums & bass guitar. He has
also been known to thrash a banjo from time to time. He is still actively playing & passing his 31 years of playing experience on to others (you!).
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Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.So basically in the key of G the Locrian mode is the same as the Ioanian mode with the F# note added like the Phrygian mode is the same as the Lydian mode with the “B” note added-is that right Brad?
Right, you are. Brad is teaching the Locrian mode using the same scale pattern he used for the Ionian, but starting on the 7th degree, rather than the first. Note that this approach can be used for all the scale patterns, i.e. you can actually play all seven modes using the pattern taught for the Ionian... you just play the pattern using successfully higher and higher starting notes for each mode.
Yes that gets you by. The modal patterns are good for style and licks/ hyrigan is hammerons and bends. I find the phrygian particularily cool to get the latin feel which I just don't seem to do in the ionian mode. Playing the phyrigian is also more efficient for the style. I think its got something to do as well with the timber of the strings in different positions. I just want to learn to hear what mode to play when I hear the progression or see a transcription.
Hey Brad where did you go??? LOL
So now that I have all the modes in G will they sound right with any chord in the Key of G?