stringery

G phrygian

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

Dark, Spanish, menacing.

Root position2 of 5

35791215

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

Built from

  1. GRH
  2. A♭♭2W
  3. B♭♭3W
  4. C4W
  5. D5H
  6. E♭♭6W
  7. F♭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 neckG phrygian

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

Position 2 is outlined, frets 3 to 6. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The G phrygian key

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

  1. Gmi
  2. A♭II
  3. B♭III
  4. Cmiv
  5. Ddimv°
  6. E♭VI
  7. Fmvii

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • E♭ major

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

  • C minor

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

  • F dorian

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

  • B♭ mixolydian

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

  • A♭ lydian

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