Explore scales · Guitar
G phrygian dominant scale on guitar
G phrygian dominant uses G, A♭, B, C, D, E♭, F. Box 1 places the root on the sixth string and the first string, ideal for low-string riffs.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the G phrygian dominant scale on guitar?
G phrygian dominant in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 15 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 3 and the high e string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 3, 4 | F, G, A♭ |
| 5 (A) | 2, 3 | B, C |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 3 (G) | 1, 4 | A♭, B |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3, 4 | C, D, E♭ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 3, 4 | F, G, A♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
G phrygian dominant in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 15 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to A♭ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the low E string at fret 3, the D string at fret 5 and the high e string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 4 | G, A♭ |
| 5 (A) | 3, 5, 6 | C, D, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, A♭ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 5 | B, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 4, 6 | D, E♭, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 4 | G, A♭ |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
G phrygian dominant in box 3 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 A string at fret 10 and the B string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
| 5 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
| 4 (D) | 9, 10 | B, C |
| 3 (G) | 7, 8, 10 | D, E♭, F |
| 2 (B) | 8, 9 | G, A♭ |
| 1 (e) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
Box 4 · frets 10–13
G phrygian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 16 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to F on the high e 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 11, 13 | D, E♭, F |
| 5 (A) | 10, 11 | G, A♭ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 12, 13 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (B) | 12, 13 | B, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 11, 13 | D, E♭, F |
Why it sounds like that
Raise the third of G phrygian from B♭ to B. The scale then has a major third and a ♭2, with intervals 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. The step pattern is H, 1½, H, W, H, W, W; compare with G phrygian.
When to use it
Use it over G major or G 5th for a Phrygian dominant tonic. The ♭2 A♭ and ♭6 E♭ add darkness to G major, while the major third B keeps it major. It suits flamenco, Middle Eastern, and metal.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on the sixth string, third fret, and the position covers frets 1–4, making the ♭2 easy to reach.
Common questions
What notes are in G phrygian dominant?
The notes are G, A♭, B, C, D, E♭, F. The intervals are 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. It is a phrygian scale with a raised third.
Which chords fit G phrygian dominant?
The tonic chord is G major or G 5th. Other common chords are A♭ major, C minor, and F minor. The ♭2 and ♭6 create a Spanish flavour.
How is G phrygian dominant different from G phrygian?
G phrygian dominant has a major third (B), while G phrygian has a minor third (B♭). This changes the tonic chord from minor to major. The rest of the notes are identical.