F# Phrygian Ukulele Scale
Ukulele scale — fretboard diagram
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 Ukulele, 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
Diatonic Chords
F♯m7 — GMaj7 — A7 — Bm7 — C♯m7♭5 — DMaj7 — Em7
How to Play F# Phrygian on Ukulele
On ukulele, find F# on the fret 5 area, and work through the scale within a four-fret span. You may need to shift positions once to cover all 7 notes. Practice each position separately before linking them together.
The F# Phrygian scale contains 2 sharps (F#, C#). Its relative major is A 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: F#m7 - Bm7 - C#m7b5 - F#m7 (I-IV-V-I) or F#m7 - GMaj7 - Bm7 - C#m7b5 for a more stepwise movement.
Ukulele Tips
The compact fretboard of the ukulele makes the F# Phrygian scale easy to visualize in a single position. Use this to your advantage by memorizing the scale shape relative to chord shapes you already know.
The F# Phrygian scale contains 7 notes (F#, G, A, B, C#, D, E). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele 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 Guitar
- F# Phrygian on Bass
- F# Phrygian on Piano