Explore scales · Ukulele
B♭ phrygian scale on ukulele
B♭ Phrygian uses B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭. The flat second C♭ sits one fret above the root, giving a tight, exotic pull.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the B♭ phrygian scale on ukulele?
B♭ phrygian in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 11 notes across 4 strings, from D♭ on the C string at fret 1 up to D♭ on the A string at fret 4. The root falls on the G string at fret 3 and the A string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 3, 4 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 3 (C) | 1, 3 | D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 2, 4 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
B♭ phrygian in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the C string at fret 3 up to E♭ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the G string at fret 3 and the E string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 4, 6 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5, 6 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 4, 6 | D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
B♭ phrygian in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F on the C string at fret 5 up to F on the A string at fret 8. The root falls on the E string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 8 | D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 6, 8 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 7 | B♭, C♭ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
B♭ phrygian in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the C string at fret 8 up to A♭ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the C string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 10, 11 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10, 11 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 2 (E) | 9, 11 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 9, 11 | F, G♭, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ Phrygian lowers the second degree of B♭ natural minor. Compare B♭ natural minor to hear the C♭ against C. The scale is built H, W, W, W, H, W, W from B♭. The ♭2 creates the characteristic Phrygian tension.
When to use it
Use B♭ Phrygian over B♭ minor and B♭ 5th chords. The ♭2 works over B major in metal and flamenco styles. Try it over F minor 7th flat 5th for a tense dominant sound.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It keeps the root on the fourth string and covers frets 1–4, making the half-step from B♭ to C♭ easy to hear.
Common questions
Which notes are in B♭ Phrygian?
B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭. The C♭ is the flat second that defines the Phrygian sound. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What chords fit B♭ Phrygian?
B♭ minor and B♭ 5th are the primary chords. B major and F minor 7th flat 5th also work well.
How does B♭ Phrygian differ from B♭ natural minor?
B♭ Phrygian has a C♭ instead of C. This single change creates the characteristic half-step between the first two notes.