Phrygian Mode on guitar

Phrygian is a minor mode with a flat second, the dark half step above the root heard in flamenco and metal riffs.

Play the A Phrygian Mode on the fretboard in Guitar Upscale

About the Phrygian Mode

Phrygian is the third mode of the major scale. E Phrygian has the notes of C major, played from E.

Its flat 2nd sits a half step above the root, and that half step gives the scale a tense, Spanish feel. Riffs that move from the root to the flat 2nd and back are pure Phrygian.

Metal guitarists use it on low E riffs. Flamenco players walk down Am, G, F and E, and over the last chord they raise the third. That raised third turns Phrygian into Phrygian dominant.

Intervals from the root

Chords in the A Phrygian Mode

Stack every other note of the scale and you get one chord on each note. These chords sound at home with the scale, so they make good progressions.

Same notes, another starting note

Start the A Phrygian Mode on another of its notes and you get these scales:

• From degree b2 (Bb): Bb Lydian Mode
• From degree b3 (C): C Mixolydian Mode
• From degree 4 (D): D Natural Minor scale
• From degree 5 (E): E Locrian Mode
• From degree b6 (F): F Major Scale
• From degree b7 (G): G Dorian Mode

Phrygian Mode in every key

More Minor scales

• Natural Minor (Aeolian)
• Harmonic Minor
• Lydian Minor
• Locrian Mode
• Locrian with a Natural Fifth
• Harmonic Minor Bebop
• Harmonic Minor Bebop with a Raised Fourth
• Melodic Minor
• Dorian Mode
• Minor Pentatonic
• Aeolian + Phrygian
• Aeolian + Dorian