F# Phrygian Cuatro Venezolano Scale — Standard
Cuatro Venezolano scale in Standard tuning — fretboard diagram
F# Phrygian in Standard — Notes and Intervals
The F# Phrygian scale is the third mode of the major scale, defined by its immediate dark and tense character. On Cuatro Venezolano, its notes are F#, G, A, B, C#, D, E. 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 F#m7, GMaj7, A7, Bm7, C#m7b5, DMaj7, Em7. 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#, G, A, B, C#, D, E
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
Tuning: Standard (A-D-F#-B)
Diatonic Chords
F♯m7 — GMaj7 — A7 — Bm7 — C♯m7♭5 — DMaj7 — Em7
About Standard Tuning
The Cuatro Venezolano is a four-string instrument tuned A-D-F#-B with a reentrant tuning — the 4th string (B) is tuned lower than the 3rd string (F#), breaking the ascending pitch order. This reentrant voicing gives the Cuatro its signature bright, harp-like strumming sound that drives the rhythm in joropo, vals venezolano, and other Venezuelan folk genres.
The Cuatro is the national instrument of Venezuela, as fundamental to Venezuelan music as the guitar is to flamenco. Its distinctive rasgueo (strumming) technique produces a rhythmic drive that is instantly recognizable. Unlike guitar, the Cuatro is primarily a rhythmic instrument — its reentrant tuning creates a compact voicing range that blends beautifully with harp and maracas in traditional ensembles. Players like Cheo Hurtado and Hernán Gamboa have elevated the Cuatro to a solo concert instrument.
Notable artists: Cheo Hurtado, Hernán Gamboa, Simón Díaz, C4 Trío, Jorge Glem
Best for: Venezuelan folk music, joropo rhythm, Latin ensemble playing, and any style that needs bright rhythmic strumming