A Phrygian mode on guitar

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

EADGBEEFGAB♭CDEAB♭CDEFGADEFGAB♭CDGAB♭CDEFGCDEFGAB♭EFGAB♭CDE0123456789101112

Position from fret 4

EADGBEAB♭CDEFGAB♭CDEFGAB♭C45678

Root notes are filled. The position groups the notes of the scale in one area of the neck, starting from the root on the 6th string.

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