Explore scales · Bass
E♭ phrygian scale on bass guitar
E♭ Phrygian uses E♭, F♭, G♭, A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 6 for a mid-neck shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the E♭ phrygian scale on bass?
E♭ phrygian in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 8 notes across 4 strings, from F♭ on the E string at fret 0 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the D string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 2 | F♭, G♭ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 2 | B♭, C♭ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 2 | E♭, F♭ |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 2–4
E♭ phrygian in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 4, 8 notes across 4 strings, from G♭ on the E string at fret 2 up to C♭ on the G string at fret 4. 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) | 2, 4 | G♭, A♭ |
| 3 (A) | 2, 4 | C♭, D♭ |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4 | F♭, G♭ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 4 | B♭, C♭ |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
E♭ phrygian in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 10 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 A string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 6, 7 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 3 (A) | 4, 6, 7 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6 | G♭, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6 | C♭, D♭ |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
E♭ phrygian in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 12 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 up to F♭ on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the A string at fret 6 and the G string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 6, 7, 9 | E♭, F♭, G♭ |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 8, 9 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
E♭ phrygian in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 9 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 E 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 | G♭, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | C♭, D♭ |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11 | F♭, G♭ |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
E♭ phrygian in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 11 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the E string at fret 11 up to A♭ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the E string at fret 11 and the D 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, 13, 14 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 1 (G) | 11, 13 | G♭, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
E♭ Phrygian lowers the second degree of E♭ natural minor by a half step. The ♭2 interval creates a dark, tense color. Compare it with E♭ natural minor to hear the difference.
When to use it
Use E♭ Phrygian over E♭ minor and E♭ 5th chords. The ♭2 adds a Spanish or metal flavor. It works in flamenco, metal, and dark ambient styles. Try it over E♭ minor or E♭ 5th.
Which position to practise
Practice Box 1 first. It places the root on string 3, fret 6, covering frets 0–3 for a mid-neck position.
Common questions
What notes are in E♭ Phrygian?
E♭ Phrygian contains E♭, F♭, G♭, A♭, B♭, C♭, and D♭. The F♭ is the flat second that defines the mode. All other notes match E♭ natural minor. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit E♭ Phrygian?
E♭ minor and E♭ 5th chords fit best. The scale also works over progressions using E major, F♯ major, A♭ minor, B♭ diminished, B major, and C♯ minor. The flat second adds tension over the tonic.
What is the difference between E♭ Phrygian and E♭ natural minor?
E♭ Phrygian has an F♭ instead of F. This single half-step change creates the Phrygian sound. The rest of the notes are identical.