Phrygian

3rd mode of Ionian (major)

Parent mode: Major 3rd below 1st scale degree. Or 6th note of Phrygian scale.

For example: E Phrygian is the 3rd mode of C Major.

(See #2 under ways to think about the scale)

Interesting or defining features:

Using only white keys, E Phrygian is from E to E

Same as natural minor with a flatted (lowered) 2nd scale degree

Add one flat to a minor key signature with flats to find Phrygian key

Example: G minor has 2 flats (Bb & Eb). G Phrygian has 3 flats (Bb, Eb, & Ab).

Subtract one sharp from a minor key signature with sharps to find Phrygian key

Example: E minor has one sharp.  E Phrygian has no sharps.

Minor 2nds between scale degrees 1 & 2, 5 & 6

Chords that may be used with this scale: (examples in C Phrygian)

Minor 7 (C-Eb-G-Bb)

Minor 7sus4(b9) (C-F-G-Bb-Db)

Major 7b5 chord 1/2 step above the root: (Db-F-Abb-C). In other words, play a C Phrygian Scale starting

on the note 1/2 step lower than the root of the Db Major 7(b5) chord (C is the 7th of the chord).

Here are two ways to think about the Phrygian mode:

1-Compare it to another scale

For example:

E Natural Minor:

E

F#

G

A

B

C

D

E

E Phrygian:

E

F

G

A

B

C

D

E

Note the difference on scale degree 2. Phrygian has a lowered 2nd scale degree.

2-Think of the notes of the parent scale and invert it

For example:

C Major:

C

D

E

F

G

A

B

C

E Phrygian:

E

F

G

A

B

C

D

E

min 2nd

min 2nd

Here are the 12 Phrygian scales:

C

Db

Eb

F

G

Ab

Bb

C

C#

D

E

F#

G#

A

B

C#

Half-steps between notes:

D

Eb

F

G

A

Bb

C

D

1-2-2-2-1-2-2

Eb

Fb

Gb

Ab

Bb

Cb

Db

Eb

E

F

G

A

B

C

D

E

F

Gb

Ab

Bb

C

Db

Eb

F

F#

G

A

B

C#

D

E

F#

G

Ab

Bb

C

D

Eb

F

G

G#

A

B

C#

D#

E

F#

G#

A

Bb

C

D

E

F

G

A

Bb

Cb

Db

Eb

F

Gb

Ab

Bb

B

C

D

E

F#

G

A

B