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 1–5
Ascending and descending tab
e|-------------------------------------------2--3--5--3--2-------------------------------------------| B|----------------------------------2--3--5-----------------5--3--2----------------------------------| G|----------------------------2--4-----------------------------------4--2----------------------------| D|-------------------2--4--5-----------------------------------------------5--4--2-------------------| A|----------2--4--5-----------------------------------------------------------------5--4--2----------| E|-2--3--5-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------5--3--2-|
Position 2 · D shape · frets 3–7
Ascending and descending tab
e|----------------------------------------------3--5--7--5--3----------------------------------------------| B|-------------------------------------3--5--7-----------------7--5--3-------------------------------------| G|----------------------------4--6--7-----------------------------------7--6--4----------------------------| D|-------------------4--5--7-----------------------------------------------------7--5--4-------------------| A|----------4--5--7-----------------------------------------------------------------------7--5--4----------| E|-3--5--7-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7--5--3-|
Position 3 · C shape · frets 5–9
Ascending and descending tab
e|----------------------------------------------5--7--9--7--5----------------------------------------------| B|-------------------------------------5--7--8-----------------8--7--5-------------------------------------| G|----------------------------6--7--9-----------------------------------9--7--6----------------------------| D|-------------------5--7--9-----------------------------------------------------9--7--5-------------------| A|----------5--7--9-----------------------------------------------------------------------9--7--5----------| E|-5--7--9-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9--7--5-|
Position 4 · A shape · frets 8–12
Ascending and descending tab
e|----------------------------------------------9-10-12-10--9----------------------------------------------| B|-------------------------------------8-10-12----------------12-10--8-------------------------------------| G|----------------------------9-11-12----------------------------------12-11--9----------------------------| D|-------------------9-11-12----------------------------------------------------12-11--9-------------------| A|----------9-10-12----------------------------------------------------------------------12-10--9----------| E|-9-10-12----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-10--9-|
Position 5 · G shape · frets 10–14
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------10-12-14-12-10----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------10-12-14----------------14-12-10-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------11-12-14----------------------------------14-12-11----------------------------| D|------------------11-12-14----------------------------------------------------14-12-11-------------------| A|---------10-12-14----------------------------------------------------------------------14-12-10----------| E|10-12-14----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14-12-10-|
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