Explore scales · Bass
C phrygian scale on bass guitar
C Phrygian uses C, D♭, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭. Box 1 anchors the root on string 3, fret 3 for a mid-neck shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the C phrygian scale on bass?
C phrygian in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 3, 4 | F, G, A♭ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 3, 4 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C phrygian in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 12 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to D♭ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the A string at fret 3 and the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, D♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
C phrygian in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 9 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 up to E♭ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the E string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 8 | D♭, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C phrygian in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to F on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the E string at fret 8 and the D string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 10, 11 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
Box 5 · frets 11–13
C phrygian in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 13, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the E string at fret 11 up to A♭ on the G string at fret 13. 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) | 11, 13 | E♭, F |
| 3 (A) | 11, 13 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 12, 13 | G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
C Phrygian lowers the second degree of C natural minor by a half step. The ♭2 interval creates a dark, tense sound. Compare it with C natural minor to hear the difference.
When to use it
Use C Phrygian over C minor and C 5th chords. The ♭2 adds a Spanish or metal flavor. It fits flamenco, metal, and dark ambient styles. Try it over C minor or C 5th.
Which position to practise
Practice Box 1 first. It places the root on string 3, fret 3, covering frets 1–4 for a mid-neck position.
Common questions
What notes are in C Phrygian?
C Phrygian contains C, D♭, E♭, F, G, A♭, and B♭. The D♭ is the flat second that defines the mode. All other notes match C natural minor.
Which chords fit C Phrygian?
C minor and C 5th chords fit best. The scale also works over progressions using C♯ major, E♭ major, F minor, G diminished, A♭ major, and B♭ minor. The flat second adds tension over the tonic.
What is the difference between C Phrygian and C natural minor?
C Phrygian has a D♭ instead of D. This single half-step change creates the Phrygian sound. The rest of the notes are identical.