Guitar scale reference
A Phrygian scale on guitar: five CAGED positions
Phrygian is a minor mode distinguished by its flattened 2nd. The half-step above the root produces immediate tension and gives even familiar minor-position geometry a different centre of gravity.
What gives the scale its sound
The root–♭2 relationship is decisive, supported by ♭3 and ♭6. Keep returning to the root so the pattern is heard as Phrygian rather than a major scale beginning elsewhere.
- Interval formula
- 1 · ♭2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · ♭7
- Notes in A
- A · B♭ · C · D · E · F · G
A Phrygian across the neck
The five views overlap. Root notes are highlighted; use interval labels first, then confirm the spelled notes above.
Position 1 · E shape · frets 4–8
Ascending and descending tab
e|-------------------------------------------5--6--8--6--5-------------------------------------------| B|----------------------------------5--6--8-----------------8--6--5----------------------------------| G|----------------------------5--7-----------------------------------7--5----------------------------| D|-------------------5--7--8-----------------------------------------------8--7--5-------------------| A|----------5--7--8-----------------------------------------------------------------8--7--5----------| E|-5--6--8-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------8--6--5-|
Position 2 · D shape · frets 6–10
Ascending and descending tab
e|----------------------------------------------6--8-10--8--6----------------------------------------------| B|-------------------------------------6--8-10----------------10--8--6-------------------------------------| G|----------------------------7--9-10----------------------------------10--9--7----------------------------| D|-------------------7--8-10----------------------------------------------------10--8--7-------------------| A|----------7--8-10----------------------------------------------------------------------10--8--7----------| E|-6--8-10----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10--8--6-|
Position 3 · C shape · frets 8–12
Ascending and descending tab
e|----------------------------------------------8-10-12-10--8----------------------------------------------| B|-------------------------------------8-10-11----------------11-10--8-------------------------------------| G|----------------------------9-10-12----------------------------------12-10--9----------------------------| D|-------------------8-10-12----------------------------------------------------12-10--8-------------------| A|----------8-10-12----------------------------------------------------------------------12-10--8----------| E|-8-10-12----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-10--8-|
Position 4 · A shape · frets 11–15
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------12-13-15-13-12----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------11-13-15----------------15-13-11-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------12-14-15----------------------------------15-14-12----------------------------| D|------------------12-14-15----------------------------------------------------15-14-12-------------------| A|---------12-13-15----------------------------------------------------------------------15-13-12----------| E|12-13-15----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15-13-12-|
Position 5 · G shape · frets 13–17
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------13-15-17-15-13----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------13-15-17----------------17-15-13-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------14-15-17----------------------------------17-15-14----------------------------| D|------------------14-15-17----------------------------------------------------17-15-14-------------------| A|---------13-15-17----------------------------------------------------------------------17-15-13----------| E|13-15-17----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------17-15-13-|
Practice drill
Alternate 1–♭2–1 with short phrases ending on ♭3 or 5. Move the same idea through each position and connect shapes using the closest root–♭2 pair.
Use the guitar scale practice guide to turn the diagram into a recall, connection and phrasing routine.
If the interval formula or five-position layout is new, begin with the beginner guitar scale guide.
Open the scale randomiser