stringery

E phrygian

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

Dark, Spanish, menacing.

Root position1 of 5

35791215

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

Built from

  1. ERH
  2. F♭2W
  3. G♭3W
  4. A4W
  5. B5H
  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

12345EADGBE35791215R♭2♭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♭2♭345♭6♭7R♭2♭3
12345EADGBE35791215R♭2♭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♭2♭345♭6♭7R♭2♭3

Position 1 is outlined, frets 0 to 3. 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. Emi
  2. FII
  3. GIII
  4. Amiv
  5. Bdimv°
  6. CVI
  7. Dmvii

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • C major

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

  • A minor

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

  • D dorian

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

  • G mixolydian

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

  • F lydian

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