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 5–9
Ascending and descending tab
e|-------------------------------------------6--7--9--7--6-------------------------------------------| B|----------------------------------6--7--9-----------------9--7--6----------------------------------| G|----------------------------6--8-----------------------------------8--6----------------------------| D|-------------------6--8--9-----------------------------------------------9--8--6-------------------| A|----------6--8--9-----------------------------------------------------------------9--8--6----------| E|-6--7--9-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------9--7--6-|
Position 2 · D shape · frets 7–11
Ascending and descending tab
e|----------------------------------------------7--9-11--9--7----------------------------------------------| B|-------------------------------------7--9-11----------------11--9--7-------------------------------------| G|----------------------------8-10-11----------------------------------11-10--8----------------------------| D|-------------------8--9-11----------------------------------------------------11--9--8-------------------| A|----------8--9-11----------------------------------------------------------------------11--9--8----------| E|-7--9-11----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11--9--7-|
Position 3 · C shape · frets 9–13
Ascending and descending tab
e|----------------------------------------------9-11-13-11--9----------------------------------------------| B|-------------------------------------9-11-12----------------12-11--9-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------10-11-13----------------------------------13-11-10----------------------------| D|-------------------9-11-13----------------------------------------------------13-11--9-------------------| A|----------9-11-13----------------------------------------------------------------------13-11--9----------| E|-9-11-13----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13-11--9-|
Position 4 · A shape · frets 12–16
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------13-14-16-14-13----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------12-14-16----------------16-14-12-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------13-15-16----------------------------------16-15-13----------------------------| D|------------------13-15-16----------------------------------------------------16-15-13-------------------| A|---------13-14-16----------------------------------------------------------------------16-14-13----------| E|13-14-16----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16-14-13-|
Position 5 · G shape · frets 14–18
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------14-16-18-16-14----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------14-16-18----------------18-16-14-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------15-16-18----------------------------------18-16-15----------------------------| D|------------------15-16-18----------------------------------------------------18-16-15-------------------| A|---------14-16-18----------------------------------------------------------------------18-16-14----------| E|14-16-18----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------18-16-14-|
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