Phrygian i-bII-bIII Chord Progression
The Phrygian i-bII-bIII is the chord progression i-bII-bIII. In the key of C minor it is Cm Db Eb, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 1m b2 b3.
Chords from outside the key of C minor: Db.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
The roots climb the first three notes of Phrygian, with the half step up from i giving the dark colour and the whole step on to bIII opening it out. Played as heavy power chords, it makes a dark metal riff shape.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sulfur | Slipknot | chorus | Bm C D | B Phrygian |
| Painkiller | Judas Priest | bridge | F#m G F#m G A | F# Phrygian |
Phrygian i-bII-bIII Chord Progression: Chords and Audio in C, G, D, A and E
Press play to hear each key. The diagrams show the shapes used in the audio, and every chord links to its full page.
More progressions like this one
- Phrygian dominant vamp: C Db
- So What shift: Cm7 Dbm7
- Dorian shuttle: Cm F
- Dorian i-bVII-IV: Cm Bb F
All guitar chord progressions →
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
FAQ
What are the chords of the Phrygian i-bII-bIII in each key?
In C minor: Cm Db Eb. In G minor: Gm Ab Bb. In D minor: Dm Eb F. In A minor: Am Bb C. In E minor: Em F G.
Which songs use the Phrygian i-bII-bIII?
Songs that use it include Sulfur by Slipknot, Painkiller by Judas Priest.
