Eb Phrygian: A Theoretical Spelling
The Eb Phrygian scale is spelled Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb and Db. Fb and Cb are only names for E and B, so on the fretboard you play the same notes as D# Phrygian, which is easier to write out. This page is for readers who think in flats.
Place the root on the 11th fret of the low E string or the 6th fret of the A string. Every note comes from Cb major. For the bigger picture of modes, see guitar modes explained.
Play the Eb phrygian scale
Use the step menu in the player to switch between the single-string run and the box shapes.
Notes of the Eb phrygian scale
| Note | Degree | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eb | 1 | Root | 0 |
| Fb | b2 | Minor 2nd | 1 |
| Gb | b3 | Minor 3rd | 3 |
| Ab | 4 | Perfect 4th | 5 |
| Bb | 5 | Perfect 5th | 7 |
| Cb | b6 | Minor 6th | 8 |
| Db | b7 | Minor 7th | 10 |
Structure
Eb phrygian scale notes:
How the phrygian scale is built:
The phrygian scale is built from the degrees 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7, which gives the step pattern H-W-W-W-H-W-W (W = whole step, H = half step).
Counting in semitones from the root: 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10. That makes it a 7-note scale.
It is mode 3 of the Major Scale, so both scales share the same notes from a different starting point.
Eb Phrygian Scale Guitar Patterns
Static diagrams of every position shown in the player above.
On one string (D)
Box pattern — position 1
Box pattern — position 2
Box pattern — position 3
Box pattern — position 4
Box pattern — position 5
3 notes per string — position 1
3 notes per string — position 2
3 notes per string — position 3
3 notes per string — position 4
3 notes per string — position 5
Chords in the Eb phrygian scale
Stacking thirds on each degree of the scale gives these chords.
Scales with the same notes as Eb Phrygian
These scales use exactly the same notes. Each one starts somewhere else, so the root and the mood change.
| Scale | Starts on degree | Learn the scale |
|---|---|---|
| E Lydian | b2 | Lydian Scale |
| F# Mixolydian | b3 | Mixolydian |
| Ab Minor | 4 | Minor Scale |
| Bb Locrian | 5 | Locrian Scale |
| B Major | b6 | Major Scale |
| C# Dorian | b7 | Dorian Scale |
Other scales on Eb
Same root, different notes. Play them back to back to hear what changes.
- Eb Indian: drops the b3 and b7
- Eb Minor: 2 instead of b2
- Eb Locrian: b5 instead of 5
- Eb Phrygian Dominant: 3 instead of b3
- Eb Dorian b2: 6 instead of b6
The phrygian scale in other keys
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Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
