Guitar scale reference
B 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 B
- B · C · D · E · F♯ · G · A
B 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 6–10
Ascending and descending tab
e|-------------------------------------------7--8-10--8--7-------------------------------------------| B|----------------------------------7--8-10----------------10--8--7----------------------------------| G|----------------------------7--9-----------------------------------9--7----------------------------| D|-------------------7--9-10----------------------------------------------10--9--7-------------------| A|----------7--9-10----------------------------------------------------------------10--9--7----------| E|-7--8-10----------------------------------------------------------------------------------10--8--7-|
Position 2 · D shape · frets 8–12
Ascending and descending tab
e|----------------------------------------------8-10-12-10--8----------------------------------------------| B|-------------------------------------8-10-12----------------12-10--8-------------------------------------| G|----------------------------9-11-12----------------------------------12-11--9----------------------------| D|-------------------9-10-12----------------------------------------------------12-10--9-------------------| A|----------9-10-12----------------------------------------------------------------------12-10--9----------| E|-8-10-12----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-10--8-|
Position 3 · C shape · frets 10–14
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------10-12-14-12-10----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------10-12-13----------------13-12-10-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------11-12-14----------------------------------14-12-11----------------------------| D|------------------10-12-14----------------------------------------------------14-12-10-------------------| A|---------10-12-14----------------------------------------------------------------------14-12-10----------| E|10-12-14----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14-12-10-|
Position 4 · A shape · frets 13–17
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------14-15-17-15-14----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------13-15-17----------------17-15-13-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------14-16-17----------------------------------17-16-14----------------------------| D|------------------14-16-17----------------------------------------------------17-16-14-------------------| A|---------14-15-17----------------------------------------------------------------------17-15-14----------| E|14-15-17----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------17-15-14-|
Position 5 · G shape · frets 15–19
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------15-17-19-17-15----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------15-17-19----------------19-17-15-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------16-17-19----------------------------------19-17-16----------------------------| D|------------------16-17-19----------------------------------------------------19-17-16-------------------| A|---------15-17-19----------------------------------------------------------------------19-17-15----------| E|15-17-19----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------19-17-15-|
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