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