Locrian

Learn how to use the seventh modal scale, Locrian. The following example mixes three minor modes: eolian (regular minor), Phrygian and Locrian.

First, let´s repeat how the minor modes differs from one another:

Modes:minor-scales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The example we will look into is in D. So, The Phrygian scale is a minor scale with a minor second added. In D that is the bE. The Locrian scale has the minor second and a minor fifth as well, the f natural in D. The musical example is a piece of mine called That’s how my horses dance and the basis of it is an acoustic guitar track built on a D pedal note, and the harmony switches between three minor modes; Eolian, Phrygian and Locrian. The track is in 4/4 and the modal sequence is as follows:

| D Minor | D Minor | D Minor | D Minor | D Locrian | D Locrian | D Locrian | D Locrian | D Phrygian | D Phrygian | D Phrygian | D Phrygian | D Minor | D Minor | D Locrian | D Locrian | D Locrian | D Locrian | D Minor | D Minor | D Locrian | D Locrian | D Locrian | D Locrian | D Phrygian | D Phrygian | D Phrygian | D Phrygian |D Minor | D minor | D Locrian | D Locrian | D Locrian | D Locrian | D minor | D minor | D Locrian w. C# passing note | D Locrian w. C# passing note | D Locrian w. C# passing note | D Locrian w. C# passing note | D Locrian w. C# passing note | D Locrian w. C# passing note D Locrian | D Locrian | D Locrian | D Locrian |D Locrian | D Locrian | D minor | D minor | | D Locrian | D Locrian | D Locrian | D Locrian | D Phrygian | D Phrygian | D Phrygian | D Phrygian | D minor | D minor | D Locrian to end. ||

Credits: Bo Vibe – composer, guitars, loops and Indonesian drum.