C Phrygian Major Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagramAdvanced
What chords fit over C Phrygian Major?
Open C Phrygian Major HarmonizerC Phrygian Major Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C Phrygian Major scale is a palindromic mode whose interval sequence reads identically forwards and backwards, with its lower half drawn from Phrygian and its upper half from Ionian. On Guitar, it contains the notes C, Db, Eb, F, G, A, B. This non-invertible symmetry allows melodies that carry equal weight ascending and descending, making it a tool for experimental and contemporary classical composition. Commonly used in Experimental, Contemporary Classical, Ambient. Notable players include Gyorgy Ligeti, Bela Bartok. Use over sustained chords and pedal tones in experimental contexts. The symmetric structure allows melodic passages that sound equally natural ascending and descending.
Notes: C, Db, Eb, F, G, A, B
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6M, 7M
Degrees: 1 b2 b3 4 5 6 7
Formula: H-W-W-W-W-W-H
Number of notes: 7
Musical Character
A non-invertible (palindromic) mode: its interval sequence reads the same forwards and backwards (1-2-2-2-2-2-1). The lower half is Phrygian while the upper half is Ionian, creating a scale that transforms character as it ascends.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Experimental, Contemporary Classical, Ambient
Notable players: Gyorgy Ligeti, Bela Bartok
How to Use the C Phrygian Major Scale
Use over sustained chords and pedal tones in experimental contexts. The symmetric structure allows melodic passages that sound equally natural ascending and descending.
Origin & Background
A synthetic mode notable for its palindromic interval structure. It belongs to the small family of non-invertible modes whose transposition pattern is symmetric. Useful in composition where ascending and descending motion should carry equal weight.
How to Play C Phrygian Major on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 8 on the 6th (low E) to find your C root note. Use a three-notes-per-string fingering to cover the full scale in one position, or learn the CAGED shapes to navigate the entire fretboard. An alternative starting point is open position.
The C Phrygian Major scale contains 2 flats (Db, Eb). Its relative major is Eb major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Begin by playing the C Phrygian Major scale ascending and descending at 100 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (C-Eb, Db-F) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on C to let the characteristic intervals of the Phrygian Major scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in experimental contexts.
Guitar Tips
Use hybrid picking (pick + fingers) when playing the C Phrygian Major scale on guitar to access wider intervals and string skips that a pick alone cannot handle efficiently. Aim for a balanced quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
The C Phrygian Major scale contains 7 notes (C, Db, Eb, F, G, A, B). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each shape and pattern on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges. Practice ascending and descending from the root note to learn the sound of this scale.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for C Phrygian Major
The C Phrygian Major scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 7-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore C Phrygian Major Further
- Harmonize the C Phrygian Major scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- C Phrygian Major on Ukulele
- C Phrygian Major on Bass
- C Phrygian Major on Piano
Explore C Phrygian Major in Other Tunings
- C Phrygian Major in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Phrygian Major in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- C Phrygian Major in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- C Phrygian Major in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- C Phrygian Major in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- C Phrygian Major in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- C Phrygian Major in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- C Phrygian Major in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- C Phrygian Major in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- C Phrygian Major in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- C Phrygian Major in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- C Phrygian Major in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- C Phrygian Major in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Phrygian Major in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)