Phrygian mode
The major scale played from its third note: a minor scale with a lowered second. The half step above the root gives it the tense sound of flamenco and metal.
Its formula is 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7: seven notes, dark, with a Spanish edge.
Make a beat in E minorOpens the free editor with a trap beat in E minor to play E phrygian over. No account needed to start.
Hear the phrygian mode
Here on E, E phrygian. From the root up to the root: half, whole, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. Tap a key to hear it.
E F G A B C D E
| Degree | On E | From the root |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | Root |
| ♭2 | F | Minor second |
| ♭3 | G | Minor third |
| 4 | A | Perfect fourth |
| 5 | B | Perfect fifth |
| ♭6 | C | Minor sixth |
| ♭7 | D | Minor seventh |
Its chords, one on each note: i ♭II ♭III iv v° ♭VI ♭vii. On E that is Em F G Am Bdim C Dm.
The phrygian mode in every key
The same steps from each of the twelve notes. Open one for its keyboard, its chords and a beat to play it over.
| Scale | Notes |
|---|---|
| C phrygian | C D♭ E♭ F G A♭ B♭ |
| C♯ phrygian | C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A B |
| D phrygian | D E♭ F G A B♭ C |
| D♯ phrygian | D♯ E F♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯ |
| E phrygian | E F G A B C D |
| F phrygian | F G♭ A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭ |
| F♯ phrygian | F♯ G A B C♯ D E |
| G phrygian | G A♭ B♭ C D E♭ F |
| G♯ phrygian | G♯ A B C♯ D♯ E F♯ |
| A phrygian | A B♭ C D E F G |
| B♭ phrygian | B♭ C♭ D♭ E♭ F G♭ A♭ |
| B phrygian | B C D E F♯ G A |
Questions about the phrygian mode
What is the phrygian mode?
The major scale played from its third note: a minor scale with a lowered second. The half step above the root gives it the tense sound of flamenco and metal.
What is the formula of the phrygian mode?
1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7: 7 notes, counted from the major scale on the same root. Its steps from the root up to the root are: half, whole, whole, whole, half, whole, whole.
How do I play the phrygian mode in any key?
Start on any note and follow the steps above. A phrygian: A B♭ C D E F G; C phrygian: C D♭ E♭ F G A♭ B♭; E phrygian: E F G A B C D. Every key is on this page, each with its own page and keyboard.
Build a song on the phrygian mode
Start with the beat, then add chords, a melody and your voice in the editor, part by part.
Keep going
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