A Phrygian mode on bass

The Phrygian mode is a minor scale with a minor second, a half step above the root. Its dark, Spanish color is heard in flamenco and metal.

On the whole neck

EADGEFGAB♭CDEAB♭CDEFGADEFGAB♭CDGAB♭CDEFG0123456789101112
EADGEFGAB♭CDEAB♭CDEFGADEFGAB♭CDGAB♭CDEFG0123456789101112

Position from fret 4

EADGAB♭CDEFGAB♭CD45678
EADGAB♭CDEFGAB♭CD45678

Root notes are filled. The position starts from the root on the 4th string (low E).

Notes of the scale

DegreeNoteInterval
1Aroot
2B♭ (B flat)minor second
3Cminor third
4Dperfect fourth
5Eperfect fifth
6Fminor sixth
7Gminor seventh

Steps between notes: H – W – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step)

This mode uses the same notes as the F major scale, starting from another degree.

Chords of the scale

Triads built on each degree:

  1. Ami
  2. B♭II
  3. CIII
  4. Dmiv
  5. Edimv°
  6. FVI
  7. Gmvii

Other A scales

The same scale in other keys