stringery

A phrygian

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

Dark, Spanish, menacing.

Root position5 of 5

571012

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

Built from

  1. ARH
  2. B♭♭2W
  3. C♭3W
  4. D4W
  5. E5H
  6. F♭6W
  7. G♭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 neckA phrygian

12345GCEA571012♭7R♭2♭345♭6♭7♭345♭6♭7R♭2♭35♭6♭7R♭2♭345R♭2♭345♭6♭7R
12345GCEA571012♭7R♭2♭345♭6♭7♭345♭6♭7R♭2♭35♭6♭7R♭2♭345R♭2♭345♭6♭7R

Position 5 is outlined, frets 9 to 12. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The A phrygian key

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

  1. Ami
  2. B♭II
  3. CIII
  4. Dmiv
  5. Edimv°
  6. FVI
  7. Gmvii

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • F major

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

  • D minor

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

  • G dorian

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

  • C mixolydian

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

  • B♭ lydian

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