Guitar scale reference
F 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 F
- F · G♭ · A♭ · B♭ · C · D♭ · E♭
F 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 0–4
Ascending and descending tab
e|-------------------------------------------1--2--4--2--1-------------------------------------------| B|----------------------------------1--2--4-----------------4--2--1----------------------------------| G|----------------------------1--3-----------------------------------3--1----------------------------| D|-------------------1--3--4-----------------------------------------------4--3--1-------------------| A|----------1--3--4-----------------------------------------------------------------4--3--1----------| E|-1--2--4-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------4--2--1-|
Position 2 · D shape · frets 2–6
Ascending and descending tab
e|----------------------------------------------2--4--6--4--2----------------------------------------------| B|-------------------------------------2--4--6-----------------6--4--2-------------------------------------| G|----------------------------3--5--6-----------------------------------6--5--3----------------------------| D|-------------------3--4--6-----------------------------------------------------6--4--3-------------------| A|----------3--4--6-----------------------------------------------------------------------6--4--3----------| E|-2--4--6-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6--4--2-|
Position 3 · C shape · frets 4–8
Ascending and descending tab
e|----------------------------------------------4--6--8--6--4----------------------------------------------| B|-------------------------------------4--6--7-----------------7--6--4-------------------------------------| G|----------------------------5--6--8-----------------------------------8--6--5----------------------------| D|-------------------4--6--8-----------------------------------------------------8--6--4-------------------| A|----------4--6--8-----------------------------------------------------------------------8--6--4----------| E|-4--6--8-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8--6--4-|
Position 4 · A shape · frets 7–11
Ascending and descending tab
e|----------------------------------------------8--9-11--9--8----------------------------------------------| B|-------------------------------------7--9-11----------------11--9--7-------------------------------------| G|----------------------------8-10-11----------------------------------11-10--8----------------------------| D|-------------------8-10-11----------------------------------------------------11-10--8-------------------| A|----------8--9-11----------------------------------------------------------------------11--9--8----------| E|-8--9-11----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11--9--8-|
Position 5 · G shape · frets 9–13
Ascending and descending tab
e|----------------------------------------------9-11-13-11--9----------------------------------------------| B|-------------------------------------9-11-13----------------13-11--9-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------10-11-13----------------------------------13-11-10----------------------------| D|------------------10-11-13----------------------------------------------------13-11-10-------------------| A|----------9-11-13----------------------------------------------------------------------13-11--9----------| E|-9-11-13----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13-11--9-|
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