Guitar scale reference
D 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 D
- D · E♭ · F · G · A · B♭ · C
D 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 9–13
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------10-11-13-11-10-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------10-11-13----------------13-11-10----------------------------------| G|---------------------------10-12----------------------------------12-10----------------------------| D|------------------10-12-13----------------------------------------------13-12-10-------------------| A|---------10-12-13----------------------------------------------------------------13-12-10----------| E|10-11-13----------------------------------------------------------------------------------13-11-10-|
Position 2 · D shape · frets 11–15
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------11-13-15-13-11----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------11-13-15----------------15-13-11-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------12-14-15----------------------------------15-14-12----------------------------| D|------------------12-13-15----------------------------------------------------15-13-12-------------------| A|---------12-13-15----------------------------------------------------------------------15-13-12----------| E|11-13-15----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15-13-11-|
Position 3 · C shape · frets 13–17
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------13-15-17-15-13----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------13-15-16----------------16-15-13-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------14-15-17----------------------------------17-15-14----------------------------| D|------------------13-15-17----------------------------------------------------17-15-13-------------------| A|---------13-15-17----------------------------------------------------------------------17-15-13----------| E|13-15-17----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------17-15-13-|
Position 4 · A shape · frets 16–20
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------17-18-20-18-17----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------16-18-20----------------20-18-16-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------17-19-20----------------------------------20-19-17----------------------------| D|------------------17-19-20----------------------------------------------------20-19-17-------------------| A|---------17-18-20----------------------------------------------------------------------20-18-17----------| E|17-18-20----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------20-18-17-|
Position 5 · G shape · frets 18–22
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------18-20-22-20-18----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------18-20-22----------------22-20-18-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------19-20-22----------------------------------22-20-19----------------------------| D|------------------19-20-22----------------------------------------------------22-20-19-------------------| A|---------18-20-22----------------------------------------------------------------------22-20-18----------| E|18-20-22----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------22-20-18-|
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