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. G♯RH
  2. A♭2W
  3. B♭3W
  4. C♯4W
  5. D♯5H
  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♭6♭7R♭2♭345♭6♭7♭2♭345♭6♭7R♭2♭35♭6♭7R♭2♭345♭6R♭2♭345♭6♭7R♭2♭345♭6♭7R♭2♭34♭6♭7R♭2♭345♭6♭7
12345EADGBE35791215♭6♭7R♭2♭345♭6♭7♭2♭345♭6♭7R♭2♭35♭6♭7R♭2♭345♭6R♭2♭345♭6♭7R♭2♭345♭6♭7R♭2♭34♭6♭7R♭2♭345♭6♭7

Position 2 is outlined, frets 4 to 7. 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. G♯mi
  2. AII
  3. BIII
  4. C♯miv
  5. D♯dimv°
  6. EVI
  7. F♯mvii

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.