stringery

C♯ phrygian

Minor with a flat 2nd: flamenco and metal. Minor family

Dark, Spanish, menacing.

Root position4 of 5

35791215

Square: the root. In colour: the flat 2nd, the note that gives this scale its sound.

Built from

  1. C♯RH
  2. D♭2W
  3. E♭3W
  4. F♯4W
  5. G♯5H
  6. A♭6W
  7. B♭7W

The flat 2nd sits one fret above the root, a tense half step that gives it the flamenco and metal edge.

Between the notes: W is a whole step (2 frets), H a half step (1 fret), and 1½ a step and a half (3 frets).

On the whole neckC♯ phrygian

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12345EADGBE35791215♭345♭6♭7R♭2♭34♭6♭7R♭2♭345♭6♭7♭2♭345♭6♭7R♭2♭35♭6♭7R♭2♭345♭6♭7R♭2♭345♭6♭7R♭2♭345♭6♭7R♭2♭34

Position 4 is outlined, frets 9 to 12. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The C♯ phrygian key

Build a chord on every note of the scale and you get these seven. Songs in this key mostly use them.

  1. C♯mi
  2. DII
  3. EIII
  4. F♯miv
  5. G♯dimv°
  6. AVI
  7. Bmvii

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • A major

    Same notes, but home is A: bright, familiar, resolved.

  • F♯ minor

    Same notes, but home is F♯: sad, serious, the classic minor sound.

  • B dorian

    Same notes, but home is B: minor but hopeful. cool and groovy.

  • E mixolydian

    Same notes, but home is E: major and laid-back, with swagger.

  • D lydian

    Same notes, but home is D: floating, magical, wide-eyed.