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[C major modes intro] [ C Ionian ] [ Dorian mode ] [ Phrygian mode ] [ Lydian mode ] [ Mixolydian Mode ] [ Aeolian mode ] [ Locrian mode ]

Locrian mode in the key of C major

The Locrian mode is a Diminished mode and is the 7th mode in the key of C major.

So far we have covered the C Major or Ionian mode. The Dorian mode or Dm mode, the E Phrygian or Em mode, the F Lydian mode, the G Mixolydian Mode and the A Aeolian mode.
Now we will learn Locrian mode.
The notes of the Locrian mode are shown below.

	B	C	D	E	F	G	A	B

Try to memorize all the notes in the B diminished chord. Also, try to memorize all the notes that make up each chord. Remember, each section to the left has the notes of each chord in the key of C major. The B diminished chord has the notes of B, D and F.

The Locrian mode is played from B to B in the key of C Major. This is the last mode we have to learn in the key of C major. B Locrian is the diminished mode, look at the image below.

The B note on the Low E string has been highlighted. Remember all of the modes in the key of C major have the same notes. C, D, E, F, G, A, B and C. Look at the image below and think of the B Locrian mode starting on the green B note and playing all the notes to the B note on high E string.

B Locrian mode tablature starting at the 7th fret position.

B Locrian Mode exercise with tablature.

Look at the image above and notice the C Ionian mode in there too. You should remember the Ionian mode in the key of C major is played from C to C.

Look at the image below and notice the fingering for the B Locrian mode. The B notes have been highlighted and the fingering pattern illustrated. You would start this mode off with the Low E string, 7th fret, 1 finger. Move through all the strings to the high E string, playing from B to B. Try to come up with some other places to play all of these modes.

B Locrian mode tablature starting at the 7th fret position.

B Locrian Mode exercise with tablature.

The Locrian mode is the only odd ball mode. It’s a diminished mode, the other modes are either major or minor. This can be a very dark mode.

We have now covered every mode of the key of C major. There has been an enormous amount of information presented to you. As you study these modes, remember you can play them at different locations. You can play the A Aeolian mode starting at the 5th fret, but you can also play this mode starting at any A note on the fretboard. The same holds true for all of the modes. Learn the modes and also learn the relative minor and major scales to each scale.

If you have any questions, send us an email.

Good luck,

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