F Phrygian Guitar Scale

F Phrygian Scale — Notes and Intervals

The F Phrygian scale is the third mode of the major scale, defined by its immediate dark and tense character. On Guitar, its notes are F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb. It has a strong Spanish or ethnic flavor, making it the definitive sound of Flamenco. In modern contexts, it is widely used in heavy metal to create an aggressive, brooding atmosphere. The diatonic chords of F Phrygian are Fm7, GbMaj7, Ab7, Bbm7, Cm7b5, DbMaj7, Ebm7. Commonly used in Flamenco, Metal, Djent, Middle Eastern. Notable players include Al Di Meola, Metallica, Meshuggah, Paco de Lucia. Use over sus(b9), m7 chords in Phrygian contexts. Often played over a droning root note or power chord. The b2 → 1 resolution is the mode's signature move.

Notes: F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb

Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6m, 7m

Degrees: 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7

Formula: H-W-W-W-H-W-W

Number of notes: 7

Diatonic Chords

Fm7 — G♭Maj7 — A♭7 — B♭m7 — Cm7♭5 — D♭Maj7 — E♭m7

Musical Character

The b2 interval from the root creates an immediate sense of tension and 'danger'. This single semitone is what gives Phrygian its unmistakable flamenco/metal character.

Genres & Notable Artists

Genres: Flamenco, Metal, Djent, Middle Eastern

Notable players: Al Di Meola, Metallica, Meshuggah, Paco de Lucia

How to Use the F Phrygian Scale

Use over sus(b9), m7 chords in Phrygian contexts. Often played over a droning root note or power chord. The b2 → 1 resolution is the mode's signature move.

Origin & Background

Named after the ancient Phrygians of Anatolia. Became the sound of Spanish guitar and modern extreme metal.

How to Play F Phrygian on Guitar

Place your index finger at fret 1 on the 6th (low E) to find your F 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 8th fret on the A string.

The F Phrygian scale contains 5 flats (Gb, Ab, Bb, Db, Eb). Its relative major is Ab major, which shares the same key signature.

Practice Routine

Practice the F Phrygian scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 80 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 7 notes of the scale.

Try these progressions with the F Phrygian scale: Fm7 - Bbm7 - Cm7b5 - Fm7 (I-IV-V-I) or Fm7 - GbMaj7 - Bbm7 - Cm7b5 for a more stepwise movement. This scale is especially effective in djent contexts.

Guitar Tips

On guitar, try playing the F Phrygian scale using legato technique (hammer-ons and pull-offs) to develop a smooth, connected sound. This is particularly effective for longer scale runs. Aim for a dark quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.

Related Scales

Phrygian is the 3rd mode of the Major scale. View F Major scale

• F Phrygian dominant
• F Flamenco
• F Locrian
• F In-sen

The F Phrygian scale contains 7 notes (F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.

CAGED Positions & Patterns for F Phrygian

The F Phrygian 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 F Phrygian Further

• Harmonize the F Phrygian scale — triads & 7th chords
• Browse chord progressions
• F Phrygian on Ukulele
• F Phrygian on Bass
• F Phrygian on Piano

Explore F Phrygian in Other Tunings

• F Phrygian in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
• F Phrygian in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
• F Phrygian in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
• F Phrygian in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
• F Phrygian in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
• F Phrygian in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
• F Phrygian in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
• F Phrygian in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
• F Phrygian in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
• F Phrygian in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
• F Phrygian in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
• F Phrygian in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
• F Phrygian in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
• F Phrygian in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)

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