G Phrygian scale

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

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Scale notes

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

Chords of the scale

Symbol	Chord	Notes	Chord-scale	Tensions	Avoid
Im7 modal center	Gm7	G B♭ D F	Phrygian G	11 (C)	b9 (A♭), b13 (E♭)
bIIMaj7 characteristic	A♭Maj7	A♭ C E♭ G	Lydian A♭	9 (B♭), #11 (D), 13 (F)	–
bIII7	B♭7	B♭ D F A♭	Mixolydian B♭	9 (C), 13 (G)	11 (E♭)
IVm7	Cm7	C E♭ G B♭	Aeolian C	9 (D), 11 (F)	b13 (A♭)
Vø	Dø	D F A♭ C	Locrian D	11 (G), b13 (B♭)	b9 (E♭)
bVIMaj7	E♭Maj7	E♭ G B♭ D	Ionian E♭	9 (F), 13 (C)	11 (A♭)
bVIIm7 characteristic	Fm7	F A♭ C E♭	Dorian F	9 (G), 11 (B♭)	13 (D)

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 (A♭Maj7), bVIIm7 (Fm7).

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 G Phrygian scale?

G A♭ B♭ C D E♭ F. 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7.

What chords can you build on the G Phrygian scale?

The seventh chords on each degree are Im7 = Gm7, bIIMaj7 = A♭Maj7, bIII7 = B♭7, IVm7 = Cm7, Vø = Dø, bVIMaj7 = E♭Maj7, bVIIm7 = Fm7.