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