The Phrygian scale is a unique-sounding minor scale with certain qualities that set it apart from other minor scales. In this article, we will explore and learn the Phrygian mode in all 12 keys!
This beautiful scale is known for its use in Flamenco music and is sometimes called the Spanish minor scale. However, this unique-sounding scale has many cool uses.
We’ll learn where the Phrygian scale comes from, how it is unique compared to other minor scales, and how to play it in all 12 keys!
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Table of Contents
Where Does The Phrygian Mode Come From?
The Phrygian scale (like all scales) is a collection of pitches that have a particular relationship to one another. In Western music theory, there are different types of scales. The Phrygian scale is one of the diatonic modes of the major scale.
Diatonic harmony and other principles of Western music theory are based on the note relationships found within the major scale. Therefore, it’s worth exploring the development of the major scale because it is one of the prime underlying structures of music theory.
History of the Phrygian Mode (And Music Modes in General)
Music is a universal human phenomenon.
Therefore, many cultures worldwide have different ways of organizing pitches. For example, traditional Indian music has ragas, Middle Eastern cultures have Middle Eastern scales (called maqams), and traditional Chinese music has Shí-èr-lǜ and the pentatonic modes of Gong, Shang, Jue, Zhi, and Yu.
The takeaway is that organizing pitches into groups is not unique to Western music, even if Western music modes are relatively unique. The modes used in Western music can be traced back to the ancient Greeks.
- Ancient Greek Phrygian Scale
- Phrygia was an ancient kingdom in modern-day Turkey. At the time, it was part of the greater Hellenesphere or Greek world. The original Phrygian scale probably came from this region.
- We know the ancient version had quarter tones (smaller than semitones). However, these were phased out over the millennia.
- Medieval Phrygian Mode
- The medieval scale retained its ancient name (due to literate monks reading Ancient Greek and Arabic texts) but was much closer to the modern scale in form and sound. As we know it today, music theory crystallized in the Medieval and Renaissance periods.
- Modern Phrygian Mode
- That brings us to the modern Phrygian scale, which is simply a mode of the major scale. It contains the same sequence of notes as its parent scale but starts on the third scale degree rather than the first scale degree.
If that’s confusing, we’ll elaborate below!
For more on the history of modes, check out this resource.
The Phrygian Scale is the Third Mode of the Major Scale
You see two octaves of the C major scale in the image above. (We will start with the Key of C because it’s all the white notes on the piano.)
The C major scale is spelled C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C. But what if we played that sequence of notes but started on a note other than C? What if we started on D?
- C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C
Or E?
- C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C
Or F?
- C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C
This is the concept behind modes. Within one parent scale (the C major scale), you have six other scales, each with its own characteristics but still based on the same sequence.
The Phrygian scale is one of these scales derived from the major scale sequence. It is built from the third degree, so in the key of C, we have the Phrygian mode starting on E.
- C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C
Major Scale Modes
We’ve already seen the original major scale (also known as the Ionian mode when dealing with minor keys). We have six left to cover:
- D Dorian Mode
- E Phrygian Mode
- F Lydian Mode
- G Mixolydian Mode
- A Aeolian Mode (Natural Minor)
- B Locrian Mode
Check out this article for more about the major scale modes.
D Dorian Mode
The second mode is a minor scale called Dorian minor. It has a minor third scale degree and a major sixth scale degree.
For more on the Dorian mode, check out this article on the Dorian minor scale.
E Phrygian Mode
The third mode is a minor scale called Phrygian minor. It is like a natural minor scale but also has a minor second scale degree.
F Lydian Mode
The fourth mode is called the Lydian scale, and it is a major scale with a raised 4th scale degree.
Check out this article for more on the Lydian scale.
G Mixolydian Mode
The fifth mode is called the Mixolydian mode. It is a major scale with a minor seventh scale degree.
Check out this article for more on the Mixolydian scale.
A Aeolian Mode
The sixth mode is called Aeolian minor, or the natural minor scale. This scale is also the parent scale in minor keys.
For more on the Aeolian Mode, check out this article on the Aeolian minor or natural minor scale.
B Locrian Mode
The seventh mode is a minor scale with a flat second scale degree and a flat fifth scale degree.
Check out this article to learn more about the Locrian mode.
The Phrygian Scale Formula (H-W-W-W-H-W-W)
The Phrygian Minor Scale Compared to Other Minor Scales
You can think of the Phrygian scale as a minor scale—it has a minor third and a minor seventh interval. However, its minor second-scale degree makes it unique among minor scales. All other minor scales, except for Locrian minor, have a major second scale degree.
Let’s compare the Phrygian mode to a few other minor scales.
E Natural Minor Scale (6th Mode of G Major)
- E Natural Minor Scale: E-F#-G-A-B-C-D-E
- E Phrygian Scale: E-F-G-A-B-C-D-E
E Dorian Minor Scale (2nd Mode of D Major)
- E Dorian Minor Scale: E-F#-G-A-B-C#-D-E
- E Phrygian Scale: E-F-G-A-B-C-D-E
Harmonic Minor Scale (Non-Diatonic Scale or Not Based on the Major Scale)
- E Harmonic Minor Scale: E-F#-G-A-B-C-D#-E
- E Phrygian Scale: E-F-G-A-B-C-D-E
For more on Harmonic Minor, check out this article on the Harmonic Minor Scale.
BEFORE YOU CONTINUE...
If music theory has always seemed confusing to you and you wish someone would make it feel simple, our free guide will help you unlock jazz theory secrets.
Phrygian Scales in 12 Keys
Now we are already to learn the Phrygian scale in 12 keys!
Remember, the Phrygian scales are built off the third scale degree of the major scales, so the E Phrygian mode comes from the key of C major. The F Phrygian mode comes from the key of Db major, and the F# Phrygian scale comes from the key of D major, etc.
We’ll spell out each scale and give its equivalent diatonic chord from its parent key.
F Phrygian Scale (Third Mode of Db)
- Scale Spelled: F-Gb-Ab-Bb-C-Db-Eb-F
- Diatonic Chord: F-7 (F, Ab, C, Eb); iii chord
Bb Phrygian Scale (Third Mode of Gb)
- Scale Spelled: Bb-Cb-Db-Eb-F-Gb-Ab-Bb
- Diatonic Chord: Bb-7 (Bb, Db, F, Ab); iii chord
D# Phrygian Scale (Third Mode of B)
- Scale Spelled: D#-E-F#-G#-A#-B-C#-D#
- Diatonic Chord: D#-7 (D#, F#, A#, C#); iii chord
G# Phrygian Scale (Third Mode of E)
- Scale Spelled: G#, A, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#
- Diatonic Chord: G#-7 (G#, B, D#, F#); iii chord
C# Phrygian Scale (Third Mode of A)
- Scale Spelled: C#, D, E, F#, G#, A, B, C#
- Diatonic Chord: C#-7 (C#, E, G#, B); iii chord
F# Phrygian Scale (Third Mode of D)
- Scale Spelled: F#-G-A-B-C#-D-E-F#
- Diatonic Chord: F#-7 (F#, A, C#, E); iii chord
B Phrygian Scale (Third Mode of G)
- Scale Spelled: B-C-D-E-F#-G-A-B
- Diatonic Chord: B-7 (B, D, F#, A); iii chord
E Phrygian Scale (Third Mode of C)
- Scale Spelled: E-F-G-A-B-C-D-E
- Diatonic Chord: E-7 (E, G, B, D); iii chord
A Phrygian Scale (Third Mode of F)
- Scale Spelled: A-Bb-C-D-E-F-G-A
- Diatonic Chord: A-7 (A, C, E, G); iii chord
D Phrygian Scale (Third Mode of Bb)
- Scale Spelled: D-Eb-F-G-A-Bb-C-D
- Diatonic Chord: D-7 (D-F-A-C); iii chord
G Phrygian Scale (Third Mode of Eb)
- Scale Spelled: G-Ab-Bb-C-D-Eb-F-G
- Diatonic Chord: G-7 (G, Bb, D, F) iii chord
C Phrygian Scale (Third Mode of Ab)
- Scale Spelled: C-Db-Eb-F-G-Ab-Bb-C
- Diatonic Chord: C-7 (C, Eb, G, Bb); iii chord
What About the Phrygian Dominant Scale?
If you are familiar with jazzier scales, you may have heard of the Phrygian dominant scale. This is a non-diatonic scale (not based on the major scale) derived from the harmonic minor scale. It is based on the fifth scale degree, which is the fifth harmonic minor mode.
This particular scale is called Phrygian dominant because it is essentially a Mixolydian scale (major scale with a flat 7) with a minor second scale degree (hence the Phrygian).
Ready to learn sixteen other essential jazz scales? Check out this article on sixteen jazz scales you need to know!
Want to Master the Modes and Other Essential Jazz Scales? Join the Inner Circle.
If you want to master modes and other essential jazz scales, then you should check out the Learn Jazz Standards Inner Circle. The Inner Circle is designed to help you take your musicianship and improvisation skills to the next level.
Improve in 30 Days or Less. Join the Inner Circle.
