B 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

EADGBEEF♯GABCDEABCDEF♯GADEF♯GABCDGABCDEF♯GBCDEF♯GABEF♯GABCDE0123456789101112

Position from fret 6

EADGBEBCDEF♯GABCDEF♯GABCD678910

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
1Broot
2Cminor second
3Dminor third
4Eperfect fourth
5F♯ (F sharp)perfect fifth
6Gminor sixth
7Aminor 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 G major scale, starting from another degree.

Chords of the scale

Triads built on each degree:

  1. Bmi
  2. CII
  3. DIII
  4. Emiv
  5. F♯dimv°
  6. GVI
  7. Amvii

Other B scales

The same scale in other keys