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C♯ phrygian scale on guitar
C♯ phrygian is C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B. Box 1 places the root at string 5, fret 4.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the C♯ phrygian scale on guitar?
C♯ phrygian in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 13 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 2. The root falls on the B string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2 | A, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2 | G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2, 3 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
C♯ phrygian in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 16 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 4 and the B string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3, 5 | C♯, D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
C♯ phrygian in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 17 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the A string at fret 4 and the G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
| 5 (A) | 4, 5, 7 | C♯, D, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6, 7 | B, C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
C♯ phrygian in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 15 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the low E string at fret 9 and the high e string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9, 10 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
C♯ phrygian in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 17 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the low E string at fret 9, the D string at fret 11 and the high e string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11, 12 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 10, 12 | G♯, A, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ phrygian lowers the second degree of C♯ natural minor from D♯ to D. The interval pattern becomes H, W, W, W, H, W, W. This half-step between root and ♭2 gives the scale its characteristic dark color.
When to use it
C♯ phrygian fits C♯ minor and C♯ 5th chords. It works over progressions in C♯ minor that emphasize the ♭2, such as C♯m–D–E. The scale suits flamenco, metal, and dark ambient styles.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 5, fret 4, giving easy access to the low C♯ and the ♭2 above it.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ phrygian?
C♯ phrygian contains C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, A, and B. The scale has a half step between C♯ and D. This ♭2 creates the characteristic phrygian sound. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit C♯ phrygian?
C♯ phrygian fits C♯ minor and C♯ 5th chords. It also works over progressions using D major and E major. The scale's ♭2 and ♭6 give it a dark, tense quality.
What is the difference between C♯ phrygian and C♯ natural minor?
C♯ phrygian lowers the second degree of C♯ natural minor from D♯ to D. This creates a half step between the root and the second. The rest of the scale remains the same.