A Phrygian Scale on Guitar
The A Phrygian scale contains A, B♭, C, D, E, F and G — 7 notes. Every position is marked across the whole fretboard below, labelled with note names and with interval numbers, and the tuning of each string can be changed.
| Degree | 1 | ♭2 | ♭3 | 4 | 5 | ♭6 | ♭7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | A | B♭ | C | D | E | F | G |
| Interval | Root | Minor 2nd | Minor 3rd | Perfect 4th | Perfect 5th | Minor 6th | Minor 7th |
Note names
Interval numbers
Circle of fifths
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the A Phrygian scale?
A, B♭, C, D, E, F and G. That is 7 notes.
What is the interval pattern of the A Phrygian scale?
1-2-2-2-1-2-2, counting in semitones from the root: A to B♭ is 1 semitone, B♭ to C is 2, C to D is 2, D to E is 2, E to F is 1, F to G is 2 and G back up to A is 2.
Which chords go with the A Phrygian scale?
The triads built from its own notes: Am, B♭, C, Dm, E°, F and Gm. Those are the chords that will sound consonant over it.
Which major scale is the A Phrygian scale a mode of?
F major — A Phrygian is its third mode. Both contain the same 7 notes; only the note that feels like home is different.
Which smaller scales fit inside the A Phrygian scale?
C Major Pentatonic, D Minor Pentatonic, C Dominant Pentatonic (Mixolydian Pentatonic) and G Minor Sixth Pentatonic. Every note of those is also in the A Phrygian scale, so they can be played over it.
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