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: 2 sharps (F♯ C♯).

It can also be written as G♭; 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	F♯m7	F♯ A C♯ E	Phrygian F♯	11 (B)	b9 (G), b13 (D)
bIIMaj7 characteristic	GMaj7	G B D F♯	Lydian G	9 (A), #11 (C♯), 13 (E)	–
bIII7	A7	A C♯ E G	Mixolydian A	9 (B), 13 (F♯)	11 (D)
IVm7	Bm7	B D F♯ A	Aeolian B	9 (C♯), 11 (E)	b13 (G)
Vø	C♯ø	C♯ E G B	Locrian C♯	11 (F♯), b13 (A)	b9 (D)
bVIMaj7	DMaj7	D F♯ A C♯	Ionian D	9 (E), 13 (B)	11 (G)
bVIIm7 characteristic	Em7	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 (GMaj7), bVIIm7 (Em7).

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 = F♯m7, bIIMaj7 = GMaj7, bIII7 = A7, IVm7 = Bm7, Vø = C♯ø, bVIMaj7 = DMaj7, bVIIm7 = Em7.