C 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

EADGFGA♭B♭CD♭E♭B♭CD♭E♭FGA♭E♭FGA♭B♭CD♭GA♭B♭CD♭E♭FG0123456789101112
EADGFGA♭B♭CD♭E♭B♭CD♭E♭FGA♭E♭FGA♭B♭CD♭GA♭B♭CD♭E♭FG0123456789101112

Position from fret 7

EADGCD♭E♭FGA♭B♭CD♭E♭F7891011
EADGCD♭E♭FGA♭B♭CD♭E♭F7891011

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

Notes of the scale

DegreeNoteInterval
1Croot
2D♭ (D flat)minor second
3E♭ (E flat)minor third
4Fperfect fourth
5Gperfect fifth
6A♭ (A flat)minor sixth
7B♭ (B flat)minor 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 A flat major scale, starting from another degree.

Chords of the scale

Triads built on each degree:

  1. Cmi
  2. D♭II
  3. E♭III
  4. Fmiv
  5. Gdimv°
  6. A♭VI
  7. B♭mvii

Other C scales

The same scale in other keys