The Phrygian mode on bass:
notes, formula and position

The Phrygian mode has 7 notes: 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7. In A, that gives A, B♭, C, D, E, F and G. Its minor second, a half step above the root, gives a Spanish, dark color. You hear it in flamenco and in many metal riffs.

Also called: Phrygian, Phrygian scale.

Formula and notes

1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7

The steps between the notes, from the root to the octave: half step – whole step – whole step – whole step – half step – whole step – whole step. In A:

Where the Phrygian mode comes from

It is the 3rd mode of the major scale: you play the notes of the major scale starting from its 3rd degree. The Phrygian mode in A therefore has the same notes as F major. What changes is the home note: the root A, the note your line keeps coming back to.

One position on the neck

The Phrygian mode in A, in the 5th-fret position: one finger per fret, from the 4th to the 8th fret, on all four strings. The numbers are the degrees; the root is in gold.

The same position as bass tab (fret by fret, from the low E string to the G string):

G|-5--7-|
D|-5--7--8-|
A|-5--7--8-|
E|-5--6--8-|

For another key, move the whole shape: the root on the E string sets the key (3rd fret for G, 8th fret for C).

The sound of the Phrygian mode

3rd mode. Spanish/oriental sound. The ♭2 is the signature color.

You mostly hear it in flamenco, metal and ambient.

Which chords to play it over

In A, the Phrygian mode fits Am7 and Asus♭2. On bass, keep the root on the strong beats and use the other notes to connect the chords.

Neighbouring scales

These scales differ from the Phrygian mode by a single note. Comparing them lets you hear exactly what that note brings.

• The natural minor scale: 2 instead of ♭2.
• The Neapolitan minor scale: 7 instead of ♭7.
• The Locrian mode: ♭5 instead of 5.
• The Phrygian dominant scale: 3 instead of ♭3.
• The Dorian ♭2 mode: 6 instead of ♭6.

Practice it with UnitBasse

This diagram shows a single position, in a single key. In UnitBasse, this scale is shown across the whole neck and in all twelve keys, as note names, intervals or degrees, with one color per degree. You can listen to it, see the chords that go with it, switch keys in one click, and play it over a chord chart with BackTrack, the app’s backing band. The app has 69 scales in 12 families.

Frequently asked questions