E Phrygian Guitar Scale — Open D
Guitar scale in Open D tuning — fretboard diagram
E Phrygian in Open D — Notes and Intervals
The E Phrygian scale is the third mode of the major scale, defined by its immediate dark and tense character. On Guitar, its notes are E, F, G, A, B, C, D. 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 E Phrygian are Em7, FMaj7, G7, Am7, Bm7b5, CMaj7, Dm7. 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: E, F, G, A, B, C, D
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: Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D)
Diatonic Chords
Em7 — FMaj7 — G7 — Am7 — Bm7♭5 — CMaj7 — Dm7
About Open D Tuning
Open D tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D) produces a full D major chord when strummed open, creating a warm, resonant sound that has been a staple of slide guitar, folk, and acoustic music for over a century. The three D strings create a deep, droning foundation that makes even simple chord shapes sound lush and full.
Open D is closely related to Open E (same intervals, just a whole step lower) but puts less tension on the guitar neck, making it safer for acoustic instruments. It was a favorite of Joni Mitchell, who used it extensively for her unique chord voicings, and Bob Dylan, who popularized it in folk-rock. For slide players, Open D provides the same intuitive major-chord-at-any-fret approach as Open G but with a warmer, deeper character.
Notable artists: Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Richie Havens, Bruce Cockburn, Elmore James
Best for: Slide guitar, folk fingerpicking, singer-songwriter arrangements, and acoustic compositions with rich open-string resonance
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- E Phrygian in Standard Tuning
- E Phrygian in Drop D
- E Phrygian in DADGAD
- E Phrygian in Open G
- E Phrygian in Baritone (B Standard)
- E Phrygian in 7-string
- E Phrygian in 8-string
- E Phrygian in Drop C
- E Phrygian in Drop B
- E Phrygian in Half Step Down
- E Phrygian in Open E
- E Phrygian in Open A
- E Phrygian in Double Drop D
- E Phrygian in Open C