stringery

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

12345EADGBE35791215♭2♭345♭6♭7R♭2♭35♭6♭7R♭2♭345♭6R♭2♭345♭6♭7R♭245♭6♭7R♭2♭345♭6♭7R♭2♭345♭6♭7♭2♭345♭6♭7R♭2♭3
12345EADGBE35791215♭2♭345♭6♭7R♭2♭35♭6♭7R♭2♭345♭6R♭2♭345♭6♭7R♭245♭6♭7R♭2♭345♭6♭7R♭2♭345♭6♭7♭2♭345♭6♭7R♭2♭3

Position 5 is outlined, frets 11 to 14. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The E♭ phrygian key

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

  1. E♭mi
  2. F♭II
  3. G♭III
  4. A♭miv
  5. B♭dimv°
  6. C♭VI
  7. D♭mvii

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.