Phrygian

* The above diagram is the Minor Pentatonic scale with the b2nd and b6th degrees added to create the Phrygian scale.  The b2nd degree is in green, and flatted 6th degree is in red.

Important characteristics:

• Phrygian is the 3rd mode of the Major Scale.
• It is used over the minor iii(3) chord when soloing.
• It can also be thought of as a major scale with flatted 2nd,  3rd, 6th,  and 7th degrees.

For Example:

C       Eb  F G       Bb C – Minor Pentatonic.

1        b3  4  5       b7 1

C Db Eb F G Ab Bb C – Phrygian.

1  b2  b3 4  5 b6 b7  1

C D   E   F G  A   B  C – Major Scale.

1  2    3   4  5  6    7  1

*It is important that you first master the Minor Pentatonic Scale well before learning Phrygian.  This is because the Minor Pentatonic Scale is the basic skeleton of the 3 Minor Modes: Aeolian(Natural Minor), Dorian and Phrygian.  I teach them all as just minor pentatonic scales with the missing 2nd and 6th degrees added.

Now Visit: Phrygian Scale Practice