Explore scales · Guitar
F phrygian scale on guitar
F phrygian is F, G♭, A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭. Box 1 places the root at string 6, fret 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the F phrygian scale on guitar?
F phrygian in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 17 notes across 6 strings, from F on the low E string at fret 1 up to A♭ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the low E string at fret 1, the D string at fret 3 and the high e string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 3, 4 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 3 (G) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 2, 4 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 2, 4 | F, G♭, A♭ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
F phrygian in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 13 notes across 6 strings, from A♭ on the low E string at fret 4 up to B♭ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the B string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6 | D♭, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6 | G♭, A♭ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6 | C, D♭ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6, 7 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
F phrygian in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 16 notes across 6 strings, from B♭ on the low E string at fret 6 up to D♭ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the A string at fret 8 and the B string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 5 (A) | 6, 8, 9 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 6, 8 | D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 7, 9 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 8, 9 | B♭, C, D♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
F phrygian in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 17 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to E♭ on the high e 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 9, 11 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (G) | 8, 10, 11 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
F phrygian in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 15 notes across 6 strings, from E♭ on the low E string at fret 11 up to G♭ on the high e string at fret 14. The root falls on the low E string at fret 13 and the high e string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 13, 14 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 5 (A) | 11, 13 | A♭, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13 | D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13 | G♭, A♭ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 13, 14 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13, 14 | E♭, F, G♭ |
Why it sounds like that
F phrygian lowers the second degree of F natural minor from G to G♭. 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
F phrygian fits F minor and F 5th chords. It works over progressions in F minor that emphasize the ♭2, such as Fm–G♭–A♭. The scale suits flamenco, metal, and dark ambient styles.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 6, fret 1, giving easy access to the low F and the ♭2 above it.
Common questions
What notes are in F phrygian?
F phrygian contains F, G♭, A♭, B♭, C, D♭, and E♭. The scale has a half step between F and G♭. This ♭2 creates the characteristic phrygian sound.
Which chords fit F phrygian?
F phrygian fits F minor and F 5th chords. It also works over progressions using F♯ major and A♭ major. The scale's ♭2 and ♭6 give it a dark, tense quality.
What is the difference between F phrygian and F natural minor?
F phrygian lowers the second degree of F natural minor from G to G♭. This creates a half step between the root and the second. The rest of the scale remains the same.