Phrygian scale on guitar
Dark minor mode with a flat 2. Spanish and metal color. Formula 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7. In A, the Phrygian scale is A, Bb, C, D, E, F, G.
Formula and step pattern
Steps between neighbouring notes, closing on the octave: H W W W H W W (W = whole step, H = half step, W+H = three semitones).
| Degree | Semitones from root | In A |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | A |
| b2 | 1 | Bb |
| b3 | 3 | C |
| 4 | 5 | D |
| 5 | 7 | E |
| b6 | 8 | F |
| b7 | 10 | G |
Phrygian scale notes in all 12 keys
The root fret columns show where each key starts on the 6th (low E) and 5th (A) strings in standard tuning.
| Key | Notes | Root on 6th string | Root on 5th string |
|---|---|---|---|
| C Phrygian | C Db Eb F G Ab Bb | 8 | 3 |
| C# Phrygian | C# D E F# G# A B | 9 | 4 |
| D Phrygian | D Eb F G A Bb C | 10 | 5 |
| D# Phrygian | D# E F# G# A# B C# | 11 | 6 |
| E Phrygian | E F G A B C D | Open (and 12) | 7 |
| F Phrygian | F Gb Ab Bb C Db Eb | 1 | 8 |
| F# Phrygian | F# G A B C# D E | 2 | 9 |
| G Phrygian | G Ab Bb C D Eb F | 3 | 10 |
| G# Phrygian | G# A B C# D# E F# | 4 | 11 |
| A Phrygian | A Bb C D E F G | 5 | Open (and 12) |
| A# Phrygian | A# B C# D# E# F# G# | 6 | 1 |
| B Phrygian | B C D E F# G A | 7 | 2 |
Fretboard positions: A Phrygian
Root in solid cyan, scale tones outlined, from the open strings to fret 15. Slide the pattern along the neck to change key, using the root frets in the table above.
Pick another root in the scale trainer to light up the Phrygian scale in any key.
Chords that fit A Phrygian
Chords from the chord library built only from notes of A Phrygian (A Bb C D E F G).
Related scales
- Major scale: Same notes, different home note: A Phrygian uses the notes of F major.
- Natural minor scale: Same notes, different home note: A Phrygian uses the notes of D natural minor. One note apart: Natural minor has 2 where Phrygian has b2.
- Minor pentatonic scale: Minor pentatonic sits inside Phrygian, which adds b2 and b6.
- Dorian scale: Same notes, different home note: A Phrygian uses the notes of G Dorian.
- Lydian scale: Same notes, different home note: A Phrygian uses the notes of Bb Lydian.
- Mixolydian scale: Same notes, different home note: A Phrygian uses the notes of C Mixolydian.
- Locrian scale: Same notes, different home note: A Phrygian uses the notes of E Locrian. One note apart: Locrian has b5 where Phrygian has 5.