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