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 3–7
Ascending and descending tab
e|-------------------------------------------4--5--7--5--4-------------------------------------------| B|----------------------------------4--5--7-----------------7--5--4----------------------------------| G|----------------------------4--6-----------------------------------6--4----------------------------| D|-------------------4--6--7-----------------------------------------------7--6--4-------------------| A|----------4--6--7-----------------------------------------------------------------7--6--4----------| E|-4--5--7-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------7--5--4-|
Position 2 · D shape · frets 5–9
Ascending and descending tab
e|----------------------------------------------5--7--9--7--5----------------------------------------------| B|-------------------------------------5--7--9-----------------9--7--5-------------------------------------| G|----------------------------6--8--9-----------------------------------9--8--6----------------------------| D|-------------------6--7--9-----------------------------------------------------9--7--6-------------------| A|----------6--7--9-----------------------------------------------------------------------9--7--6----------| E|-5--7--9-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9--7--5-|
Position 3 · C shape · frets 7–11
Ascending and descending tab
e|----------------------------------------------7--9-11--9--7----------------------------------------------| B|-------------------------------------7--9-10----------------10--9--7-------------------------------------| G|----------------------------8--9-11----------------------------------11--9--8----------------------------| D|-------------------7--9-11----------------------------------------------------11--9--7-------------------| A|----------7--9-11----------------------------------------------------------------------11--9--7----------| E|-7--9-11----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11--9--7-|
Position 4 · A shape · frets 10–14
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------11-12-14-12-11----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------10-12-14----------------14-12-10-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------11-13-14----------------------------------14-13-11----------------------------| D|------------------11-13-14----------------------------------------------------14-13-11-------------------| A|---------11-12-14----------------------------------------------------------------------14-12-11----------| E|11-12-14----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14-12-11-|
Position 5 · G shape · frets 12–16
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------12-14-16-14-12----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------12-14-16----------------16-14-12-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------13-14-16----------------------------------16-14-13----------------------------| D|------------------13-14-16----------------------------------------------------16-14-13-------------------| A|---------12-14-16----------------------------------------------------------------------16-14-12----------| E|12-14-16----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16-14-12-|
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