F Phrygian scale

The F Phrygian scale has the notes F G♭ A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭. Its formula is 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7. It is mode 3 of the D♭ major scale: the same notes, starting on F. Key signature: 5 flats (G♭ A♭ B♭ D♭ E♭).

It can also be written as E♯; we use the spelling with fewer accidentals.

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Scale notes

Degree	Formula	Note
I	1	F tonic
II	b2	G♭
III	b3	A♭
IV	4	B♭
V	5	C
VI	b6	D♭
VII	b7	E♭

Chords of the scale

Symbol	Chord	Notes	Chord-scale	Tensions	Avoid
Im7 modal center	Fm7	F A♭ C E♭	Phrygian F	11 (B♭)	b9 (G♭), b13 (D♭)
bIIMaj7 characteristic	G♭Maj7	G♭ B♭ D♭ F	Lydian G♭	9 (A♭), #11 (C), 13 (E♭)	–
bIII7	A♭7	A♭ C E♭ G♭	Mixolydian A♭	9 (B♭), 13 (F)	11 (D♭)
IVm7	B♭m7	B♭ D♭ F A♭	Aeolian B♭	9 (C), 11 (E♭)	b13 (G♭)
Vø	Cø	C E♭ G♭ B♭	Locrian C	11 (F), b13 (A♭)	b9 (D♭)
bVIMaj7	D♭Maj7	D♭ F A♭ C	Ionian D♭	9 (E♭), 13 (B♭)	11 (G♭)
bVIIm7 characteristic	E♭m7	E♭ G♭ B♭ D♭	Dorian E♭	9 (F), 11 (A♭)	13 (C)

Character and characteristic note

The Phrygian mode is the third mode of the major scale. It is a minor scale whose characteristic note is the flat second (b2), which makes it austere and somber. It is one of the darkest minor modes.

Effect: austere, somber.
Characteristic note: b2.
Characteristic chords: bIIMaj7 (G♭Maj7), bVIIm7 (E♭m7).

How to use it

Center Im7 (often I7sus4(b2)). Characteristic chords bIIMaj7 (the "dark lord") and bVIIm7 (more subtle). The melody keeps coming back to 1 or 5, contrasted with the b2. It can hide its character until the end.

Watch out for

bIIMaj7 / bIII7 moving to bVIMaj7 can tonicize VI.
An exposed b9 is harsh.

Examples

The Slip-Up
Nardis
Deluge

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the F Phrygian scale?

F G♭ A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭. 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7.

What chords can you build on the F Phrygian scale?

The seventh chords on each degree are Im7 = Fm7, bIIMaj7 = G♭Maj7, bIII7 = A♭7, IVm7 = B♭m7, Vø = Cø, bVIMaj7 = D♭Maj7, bVIIm7 = E♭m7.