Explore scales · Bass
A♭ phrygian scale on bass guitar
A♭ Phrygian uses A♭, B♭♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F♭, G♭. Box 1 anchors the root on string 4, fret 4 for a low position.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the A♭ phrygian scale on bass?
A♭ phrygian in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 2, 8 notes across 4 strings, from F♭ on the E string at fret 0 up to B♭♭ on the G string at fret 2. The root falls on the G string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 2 | F♭, G♭ |
| 3 (A) | 0, 2 | B♭♭, C♭ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 2 | E♭, F♭ |
| 1 (G) | 1, 2 | A♭, B♭♭ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
A♭ phrygian in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 9 notes across 4 strings, from G♭ on the E string at fret 2 up to C♭ on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the E string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 4, 5 | G♭, A♭, B♭♭ |
| 3 (A) | 2, 4 | C♭, D♭ |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4 | F♭, G♭ |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4 | B♭♭, C♭ |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
A♭ phrygian in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 11 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the E string at fret 4 up to D♭ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the E string at fret 4 and the D string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 5, 7 | A♭, B♭♭, C♭ |
| 3 (A) | 4, 6, 7 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | G♭, A♭, B♭♭ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6 | C♭, D♭ |
Box 4 · frets 7–9
A♭ phrygian in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 9, 8 notes across 4 strings, from C♭ on the E string at fret 7 up to F♭ on the G string at fret 9. No root falls inside this box; it sits between two of them.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 9 | C♭, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 7, 9 | F♭, G♭ |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9 | B♭♭, C♭ |
| 1 (G) | 8, 9 | E♭, F♭ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
A♭ phrygian in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D♭ on the E string at fret 9 up to G♭ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the A string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 11, 12 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 3 (A) | 9, 11, 12 | G♭, A♭, B♭♭ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | C♭, D♭ |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11 | F♭, G♭ |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
A♭ phrygian in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 12 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the E string at fret 11 up to B♭♭ on the G string at fret 14. The root falls on the A string at fret 11 and the G string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 12, 14 | E♭, F♭, G♭ |
| 3 (A) | 11, 12, 14 | A♭, B♭♭, C♭ |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 1 (G) | 11, 13, 14 | G♭, A♭, B♭♭ |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ Phrygian lowers the second degree of A♭ natural minor by a half step. The ♭2 interval creates a dark, tense sound. Compare it with A♭ natural minor to hear the difference.
When to use it
Use A♭ Phrygian over A♭ minor and A♭ 5th chords. The ♭2 adds a Spanish or metal flavor. It fits flamenco, metal, and dark ambient styles. Try it over A♭ minor or A♭ 5th.
Which position to practise
Practice Box 1 first. It places the root on string 4, fret 4, covering frets 0–2 for a low position.
Common questions
What notes are in A♭ Phrygian?
A♭ Phrygian contains A♭, B♭♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F♭, and G♭. The B♭♭ is the flat second that defines the mode. All other notes match A♭ natural minor. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit A♭ Phrygian?
A♭ minor and A♭ 5th chords fit best. The scale also works over progressions using A major, B major, C♯ minor, E♭ diminished, E major, and F♯ minor. The flat second adds tension over the tonic.
What is the difference between A♭ Phrygian and A♭ natural minor?
A♭ Phrygian has a B♭♭ instead of B♭. This single half-step change creates the Phrygian sound. The rest of the notes are identical.