Guitar scale reference
G 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 G
- G · A♭ · B♭ · C · D · E♭ · F
G 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 2–6
Ascending and descending tab
e|-------------------------------------------3--4--6--4--3-------------------------------------------| B|----------------------------------3--4--6-----------------6--4--3----------------------------------| G|----------------------------3--5-----------------------------------5--3----------------------------| D|-------------------3--5--6-----------------------------------------------6--5--3-------------------| A|----------3--5--6-----------------------------------------------------------------6--5--3----------| E|-3--4--6-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------6--4--3-|
Position 2 · D shape · frets 4–8
Ascending and descending tab
e|----------------------------------------------4--6--8--6--4----------------------------------------------| B|-------------------------------------4--6--8-----------------8--6--4-------------------------------------| G|----------------------------5--7--8-----------------------------------8--7--5----------------------------| D|-------------------5--6--8-----------------------------------------------------8--6--5-------------------| A|----------5--6--8-----------------------------------------------------------------------8--6--5----------| E|-4--6--8-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8--6--4-|
Position 3 · C shape · frets 6–10
Ascending and descending tab
e|----------------------------------------------6--8-10--8--6----------------------------------------------| B|-------------------------------------6--8--9-----------------9--8--6-------------------------------------| G|----------------------------7--8-10----------------------------------10--8--7----------------------------| D|-------------------6--8-10----------------------------------------------------10--8--6-------------------| A|----------6--8-10----------------------------------------------------------------------10--8--6----------| E|-6--8-10----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10--8--6-|
Position 4 · A shape · frets 9–13
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------10-11-13-11-10----------------------------------------------| B|-------------------------------------9-11-13----------------13-11--9-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------10-12-13----------------------------------13-12-10----------------------------| D|------------------10-12-13----------------------------------------------------13-12-10-------------------| A|---------10-11-13----------------------------------------------------------------------13-11-10----------| E|10-11-13----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13-11-10-|
Position 5 · G shape · frets 11–15
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------11-13-15-13-11----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------11-13-15----------------15-13-11-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------12-13-15----------------------------------15-13-12----------------------------| D|------------------12-13-15----------------------------------------------------15-13-12-------------------| A|---------11-13-15----------------------------------------------------------------------15-13-11----------| E|11-13-15----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15-13-11-|
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