Guitar scale reference
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 7–11
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 9–13
Ascending and descending tab
e|----------------------------------------------9-11-13-11--9----------------------------------------------| B|-------------------------------------9-11-13----------------13-11--9-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------10-12-13----------------------------------13-12-10----------------------------| D|------------------10-11-13----------------------------------------------------13-11-10-------------------| A|---------10-11-13----------------------------------------------------------------------13-11-10----------| E|-9-11-13----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13-11--9-|
Position 3 · C shape · frets 11–15
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------11-13-15-13-11----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------11-13-14----------------14-13-11-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------12-13-15----------------------------------15-13-12----------------------------| D|------------------11-13-15----------------------------------------------------15-13-11-------------------| A|---------11-13-15----------------------------------------------------------------------15-13-11----------| E|11-13-15----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15-13-11-|
Position 4 · A shape · frets 14–18
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------15-16-18-16-15----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------14-16-18----------------18-16-14-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------15-17-18----------------------------------18-17-15----------------------------| D|------------------15-17-18----------------------------------------------------18-17-15-------------------| A|---------15-16-18----------------------------------------------------------------------18-16-15----------| E|15-16-18----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------18-16-15-|
Position 5 · G shape · frets 16–20
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------16-18-20-18-16----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------16-18-20----------------20-18-16-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------17-18-20----------------------------------20-18-17----------------------------| D|------------------17-18-20----------------------------------------------------20-18-17-------------------| A|---------16-18-20----------------------------------------------------------------------20-18-16----------| E|16-18-20----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------20-18-16-|
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.
Open the scale randomiser