5 positions with TAB. The dark, Spanish mode used in flamenco, metal, and film scores.
That single note, the Bb instead of B natural, is what gives Phrygian its dark, Middle Eastern, Spanish-Moorish sound. Every Phrygian position has the b2 sitting just one half step above the root.
All positions shown for A Phrygian. The root (A) is highlighted in purple. The signature b2 (Bb) is highlighted in yellow.
Start here. Root on low E at fret 5 (A). The b2 (Bb) is right at fret 6 on both the low E and high e strings. This one-fret reach above the root is the defining Phrygian move.
Signature b2 location: Fret 6 on low E and high e (the b2, the dark note)
Root on D string at fret 7 (A). The b2 (Bb) appears on the D string at fret 8 -- right next to the root. The Phrygian half-step above root is always one fret higher than the root.
Signature b2 location: Fret 8, D string (the b2, one fret above root)
Root on A string at fret 12 (or shifted to fret 10 for E). The b2 appears on G string at fret 10 and the A string at fret 13 (octave). A versatile mid-neck position used in flamenco rasgueado patterns.
Signature b2 location: Fret 10, G string (Bb, the b2)
Root on low E at fret 12 (octave A). Same shape as Position 1 shifted up one octave. The b2 (Bb) again at fret 13. Use this for high-neck metal leads and flamenco picado lines.
Signature b2 location: Fret 13 on low E and high e (b2, octave from Position 1)
Root on A string at fret 2 (B) -- wait, this covers the neck below Position 1. Root on G string at fret 2 (A). The b2 (Bb) is on A string at fret 1 and G string at fret 3. This lower-neck position links back to Position 1.
Signature b2 location: Fret 1 on A string, fret 3 on G string (the b2)
| Feature | Phrygian | Natural Minor | Dorian |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd degree | b2 (flat 2nd) | M2 (major 2nd) | M2 (major 2nd) |
| 6th degree | b6 (flat 6th) | b6 (flat 6th) | M6 (major 6th) |
| In A: key difference | Bb (one step above root) | B natural | B natural + F# |
| Sound | Dark, Spanish, haunting | Sad, dramatic | Soulful, jazzy |
| Best for | Flamenco, metal, film | Rock, metal, classical | Jazz, hip-hop, funk |
| Signature chord move | i to bII (Am to Bb) | i to bVI (Am to F) | i7 to IV7 (Am7 to D7) |
| Famous players | Flamenco guitarists, Metallica, Santana | Slash, Jimmy Page, Iommi | Santana (Oye Como Va), Miles Davis |
| Key | Notes | b2 (Signature) | Low E Root | Genres |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | A -Bb -C -D -E -F -G | Bb | Fret 5 | Flamenco, metal, dark hip-hop |
| Bb | Bb -B -Db -Eb -F -Gb -Ab | B | Fret 6 | Metal, film score |
| B | B -C -D -E -F# -G -A | C | Fret 7 | Metal, classical |
| C | C -Db -Eb -F -G -Ab -Bb | Db | Fret 8 | Film score, dark ambient |
| C# | C# -D -E -F# -G# -A -B | D | Fret 9 | Metal, jazz |
| D | D -Eb -F -G -A -Bb -C | Eb | Fret 10 | Flamenco, dark hip-hop |
| Eb | Eb -E -Gb -Ab -Bb -B -Db | E | Fret 11 | Film score, metal |
| E | E -F -G -A -B -C -D | F | Open | Flamenco (classic!), metal, rock |
| F | F -Gb -Ab -Bb -C -Db -Eb | Gb | Fret 1 | Film score, classical |
| F# | F# -G -A -B -C# -D -E | G | Fret 2 | Jazz, progressive |
| G | G -Ab -Bb -C -D -Eb -F | Ab | Fret 3 | Dark hip-hop, film |
| G# | G# -A -B -C# -D# -E -F# | A | Fret 4 | Metal, film score |
| Genre | Common Keys | How to Use It | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flamenco | E Phrygian | Andalusian cadence, picado runs, rasgueado strums down to open E | The open low E string as the tonic is foundational. Always resolve licks to open E with the F (b2) as a leading tone above. |
| Metal | E, A, B Phrygian | Tritone riffs, palm-muted descents, tremolo picking on i-bII | Phrygian Dominant (1 b2 3 4 5 b6 b7) is even darker and used by Metallica and Megadeth for exotic metal leads. |
| Dark Hip-Hop / Trap | A, D Phrygian | Single-note guitar lines over minor trap beats, Phrygian sample loops | The b2 as a passing tone over a minor 7th chord creates the mysterious atmosphere popular in dark trap. Use it sparingly as color. |
| Film Score | Any key | Villain themes, horror cues, battle music, Middle Eastern settings | John Williams, Hans Zimmer, and Ennio Morricone all use Phrygian for exotic and threatening themes. The bII chord signals danger. |
| Classical / Baroque | E, B, A Phrygian | Phrygian cadence (bII-i), modal harmonization, Renaissance music | The Phrygian cadence (IVm6-V-i or bII-V-i) was extremely common in Baroque music. Bach and Handel used it for finality without resolving to major. |
| Prog / Experimental | Variable | Odd time signatures in Phrygian, poly-modal layering, exotic color | Phrygian works well in 7/8 and 5/4 time signatures where the irregular meter amplifies the unsettled feel of the b2. |
The Phrygian scale is a minor mode with a flat second degree (b2). In A Phrygian the notes are A Bb C D E F G. The Bb is what separates Phrygian from natural minor (which has B natural). It gives Phrygian its distinctly dark, Spanish, Middle Eastern quality used in flamenco, metal, film scores, and dark hip-hop.
In A Phrygian Position 1 (root at fret 5 on low E), the flat 2nd (Bb) appears at fret 6 on both the low E string and the high e string. This note is just one half step above the root -- the interval that defines the dark Phrygian sound. In E Phrygian (open position), the b2 (F) is at fret 1 on the low E string.
Phrygian has a flat second (b2) while natural minor has a major second. In A, Phrygian uses Bb while natural minor uses B natural. On guitar in Position 1, the natural minor major 2nd is at fret 7 on the low E string, while the Phrygian b2 is at fret 6 -- one fret lower. This single note makes Phrygian sound darker and more exotic.
Famous Phrygian guitar songs include Wherever I May Roam by Metallica (E Phrygian), virtually all traditional flamenco guitar (E Phrygian), Black Magic Woman by Santana (Phrygian passages), Eruption by Van Halen (E Phrygian influenced), and The Phantom of the Opera main theme. The Andalusian cadence (Am-G-F-E or Em-Dm-C-B) is the most recognized Phrygian guitar progression.