Guitar scale reference
C 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 C
- C · D♭ · E♭ · F · G · A♭ · B♭
C 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 8–11
Ascending and descending tab
e|-------------------------------------------8--9-11--9--8-------------------------------------------| B|----------------------------------8--9-11----------------11--9--8----------------------------------| G|----------------------------8-10----------------------------------10--8----------------------------| D|-------------------8-10-11----------------------------------------------11-10--8-------------------| A|----------8-10-11----------------------------------------------------------------11-10--8----------| E|-8--9-11----------------------------------------------------------------------------------11--9--8-|
Position 2 · D shape · frets 10–14
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------11-13-11-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------11-13-14----------14-13-11----------------------------------| G|------------------------10-12-13----------------------------13-12-10-------------------------| D|---------------10-11-13----------------------------------------------13-11-10----------------| A|------10-11-13----------------------------------------------------------------13-11-10-------| E|11-13----------------------------------------------------------------------------------13-11-|
Position 3 · C shape · frets 12–16
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------13-15-16-15-13-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------13-14-16----------------16-14-13----------------------------------| G|------------------------12-13-15----------------------------------15-13-12-------------------------| D|------------------13-15----------------------------------------------------15-13-------------------| A|---------13-15-16----------------------------------------------------------------16-15-13----------| E|13-15-16----------------------------------------------------------------------------------16-15-13-|
Position 4 · A shape · frets 15–18
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------15-16-18-16-15----------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------16-18----------------18-16----------------------------------| G|------------------------15-17-18----------------------------18-17-15-------------------------| D|---------------15-17-18----------------------------------------------18-17-15----------------| A|------15-16-18----------------------------------------------------------------18-16-15-------| E|16-18----------------------------------------------------------------------------------18-16-|
Position 5 · G shape · frets 17–21
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------18-20-21-20-18-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------18-20-21----------------21-20-18----------------------------------| G|------------------------17-18-20----------------------------------20-18-17-------------------------| D|---------------17-18-20----------------------------------------------------20-18-17----------------| A|---------18-20----------------------------------------------------------------------20-18----------| E|18-20-21----------------------------------------------------------------------------------21-20-18-|
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