C Phrygian Scale on Guitar
The C Phrygian scale contains C, D♭, E♭, F, G, A♭ and B♭ — 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 | C | D♭ | E♭ | F | G | A♭ | B♭ |
| 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 C Phrygian scale?
C, D♭, E♭, F, G, A♭ and B♭. That is 7 notes.
What is the interval pattern of the C Phrygian scale?
1-2-2-2-1-2-2, counting in semitones from the root: C to D♭ is 1 semitone, D♭ to E♭ is 2, E♭ to F is 2, F to G is 2, G to A♭ is 1, A♭ to B♭ is 2 and B♭ back up to C is 2.
Which chords go with the C Phrygian scale?
The triads built from its own notes: Cm, D♭, E♭, Fm, G°, A♭ and B♭m. Those are the chords that will sound consonant over it.
Which major scale is the C Phrygian scale a mode of?
A♭ major — C 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 C Phrygian scale?
D♭ Major Pentatonic, C Minor Pentatonic, E♭ Dominant Pentatonic (Mixolydian Pentatonic) and B♭ Minor Sixth Pentatonic. Every note of those is also in the C Phrygian scale, so they can be played over it.
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