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 10–14
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------11-12-14-12-11-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------11-12-14----------------14-12-11----------------------------------| G|---------------------------11-13----------------------------------13-11----------------------------| D|------------------11-13-14----------------------------------------------14-13-11-------------------| A|---------11-13-14----------------------------------------------------------------14-13-11----------| E|11-12-14----------------------------------------------------------------------------------14-12-11-|
Position 2 · D shape · frets 12–16
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------12-14-16-14-12----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------12-14-16----------------16-14-12-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------13-15-16----------------------------------16-15-13----------------------------| D|------------------13-14-16----------------------------------------------------16-14-13-------------------| A|---------13-14-16----------------------------------------------------------------------16-14-13----------| E|12-14-16----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16-14-12-|
Position 3 · C shape · frets 14–18
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------14-16-18-16-14----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------14-16-17----------------17-16-14-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------15-16-18----------------------------------18-16-15----------------------------| D|------------------14-16-18----------------------------------------------------18-16-14-------------------| A|---------14-16-18----------------------------------------------------------------------18-16-14----------| E|14-16-18----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------18-16-14-|
Position 4 · A shape · frets 17–21
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------18-19-21-19-18----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------17-19-21----------------21-19-17-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------18-20-21----------------------------------21-20-18----------------------------| D|------------------18-20-21----------------------------------------------------21-20-18-------------------| A|---------18-19-21----------------------------------------------------------------------21-19-18----------| E|18-19-21----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------21-19-18-|
Position 5 · G shape · frets 19–23
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------19-21-23-21-19----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------19-21-23----------------23-21-19-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------20-21-23----------------------------------23-21-20----------------------------| D|------------------20-21-23----------------------------------------------------23-21-20-------------------| A|---------19-21-23----------------------------------------------------------------------23-21-19----------| E|19-21-23----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------23-21-19-|
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