Explore scales · Ukulele
C phrygian scale on ukulele
C Phrygian uses C, D♭, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭. The flat second D♭ 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 C phrygian scale on ukulele?
C phrygian in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the C string at fret 0 and the A string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 3 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C phrygian in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 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 5 and the A string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5 | E♭, F |
| 2 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
C phrygian in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 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 G string at fret 5 and the E string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 7, 8 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
C phrygian in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 9 notes across 4 strings, from G on the C string at fret 7 up to G on the A string at fret 10. The root falls on the E string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
| 3 (C) | 7, 8, 10 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9 | C, D♭ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
Why it sounds like that
C Phrygian lowers the second degree of C natural minor. Compare C natural minor to hear the D♭ against D. The scale is built H, W, W, W, H, W, W from C. The ♭2 creates the characteristic Phrygian tension.
When to use it
Use C Phrygian over C minor and C 5th chords. The ♭2 works over C♯ major in metal and flamenco styles. Try it over G 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 0–3, making the half-step from C to D♭ easy to hear.
Common questions
Which notes are in C Phrygian?
C, D♭, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭. The D♭ is the flat second that defines the Phrygian sound.
What chords fit C Phrygian?
C minor and C 5th are the primary chords. C♯ major and G minor 7th flat 5th also work well.
How does C Phrygian differ from C natural minor?
C Phrygian has a D♭ instead of D. This single change creates the characteristic half-step between the first two notes.