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