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 8–12
Ascending and descending tab
e|-------------------------------------------9-10-12-10--9-------------------------------------------| B|----------------------------------9-10-12----------------12-10--9----------------------------------| G|----------------------------9-11----------------------------------11--9----------------------------| D|-------------------9-11-12----------------------------------------------12-11--9-------------------| A|----------9-11-12----------------------------------------------------------------12-11--9----------| E|-9-10-12----------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-10--9-|
Position 2 · D shape · frets 10–14
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------10-12-14-12-10----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------10-12-14----------------14-12-10-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------11-13-14----------------------------------14-13-11----------------------------| D|------------------11-12-14----------------------------------------------------14-12-11-------------------| A|---------11-12-14----------------------------------------------------------------------14-12-11----------| E|10-12-14----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14-12-10-|
Position 3 · C shape · frets 12–16
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------12-14-16-14-12----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------12-14-15----------------15-14-12-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------13-14-16----------------------------------16-14-13----------------------------| D|------------------12-14-16----------------------------------------------------16-14-12-------------------| A|---------12-14-16----------------------------------------------------------------------16-14-12----------| E|12-14-16----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16-14-12-|
Position 4 · A shape · frets 15–19
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------16-17-19-17-16----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------15-17-19----------------19-17-15-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------16-18-19----------------------------------19-18-16----------------------------| D|------------------16-18-19----------------------------------------------------19-18-16-------------------| A|---------16-17-19----------------------------------------------------------------------19-17-16----------| E|16-17-19----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------19-17-16-|
Position 5 · G shape · frets 17–21
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------17-19-21-19-17----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------17-19-21----------------21-19-17-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------18-19-21----------------------------------21-19-18----------------------------| D|------------------18-19-21----------------------------------------------------21-19-18-------------------| A|---------17-19-21----------------------------------------------------------------------21-19-17----------| E|17-19-21----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------21-19-17-|
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