The F Phrygian Scale Next to the Nut
This F Phrygian scale reads F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db and Eb. It is the third mode of Db major, and the Gb just above the root gives the mode its signature tension.
Start on the 1st fret of the low E string for the lowest box, or on the 8th fret of the A string for a higher one. Move the E Phrygian shape up one fret and you are there. Explore diagonal scale patterns to travel from one box to the next.
Play the F phrygian scale
Use the step menu in the player to switch between the single-string run and the box shapes.
Notes of the F phrygian scale
| Note | Degree | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | 1 | Root | 0 |
| Gb | b2 | Minor 2nd | 1 |
| Ab | b3 | Minor 3rd | 3 |
| Bb | 4 | Perfect 4th | 5 |
| C | 5 | Perfect 5th | 7 |
| Db | b6 | Minor 6th | 8 |
| Eb | b7 | Minor 7th | 10 |
Structure
F 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.
F Phrygian Scale Guitar Patterns
Static diagrams of every position shown in the player above.
On one string (low E)
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 F phrygian scale
Stacking thirds on each degree of the scale gives these chords.
Scales with the same notes as F 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 |
|---|---|---|
| F# Lydian | b2 | Lydian Scale |
| Ab Mixolydian | b3 | Mixolydian |
| Bb Minor | 4 | Minor Scale |
| C Locrian | 5 | Locrian Scale |
| C# Major | b6 | Major Scale |
| Eb Dorian | b7 | Dorian Scale |
Other scales on F
Same root, different notes. Play them back to back to hear what changes.
- F Indian: drops the b3 and b7
- F Minor: 2 instead of b2
- F Locrian: b5 instead of 5
- F Phrygian Dominant: 3 instead of b3
- F 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
