stringery

D phrygian

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

Dark, Spanish, menacing.

Root position5 of 5

35791215

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

Built from

  1. DRH
  2. E♭♭2W
  3. F♭3W
  4. G4W
  5. A5H
  6. B♭♭6W
  7. C♭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 neckD phrygian

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

Position 5 is outlined, frets 10 to 13. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The D phrygian key

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

  1. Dmi
  2. E♭II
  3. FIII
  4. Gmiv
  5. Adimv°
  6. B♭VI
  7. Cmvii

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • B♭ major

    Same notes, but home is B♭: bright, familiar, resolved.

  • G minor

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

  • C dorian

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

  • F mixolydian

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

  • E♭ lydian

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