STRINGSCALES

B phrygian Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, E at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

A string: A, B, C, D, E, F#, G, A at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12

D string: D, E, F#, G, A, B, C, D at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12

G string: G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, G at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12

B string: B, C, D, E, F#, G, A, B at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

High E string: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, E at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

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B phrygian

The phrygian mode is minor with a flat 2nd, the third mode of the major scale. That half step above the root gives it a dark Spanish and Middle Eastern color: flamenco resolves onto it constantly, and metal riffs on the flat 2nd for menace. Try vamping between the root chord and the chord a half step up to hear its signature cadence.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

B

i

Bm
C

bII

Cmaj
D

bIII

Dmaj
E

iv

Em
F♯

v°

F♯dim
G

bVI

Gmaj
A

bvii

Am

Characteristic note: C (b2), the dark half step above the root that defines the phrygian sound.

Same notes, different mode

B phrygian uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

C lydianD mixolydianE minor · relative minorF# locrianG major · relative majorA dorian

phrygian in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • The flat 2nd (C) is the identity: open and close phrases with the bII (C) to root half step.
  • Vamp the root chord against the major chord a half step up (built on bII (C)); that two-chord move is instant flamenco in B.
  • For metal riffing in B phrygian, chug the open root and punctuate with the bII (C) and flat 6th (G) for maximum darkness.
  • If the backing has a major 3rd, shift to B phrygian dominant; keep everything else and only the 3rd changes.

How to play B phrygian on guitar

Open B is the root, and every other open string belongs to the key as well, so full six-string voicings ring without a fretting hand. One sharp in the signature. Lowest root waits at fret 7 on the low E string, meaning the E-shape barre sits at the same fret. Capo at fret 2 turns the grip into A phrygian, which lets one-sharp fingering do the job. Roots also fall at fret 4 on the G string and fret 9 on the D.

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