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: 4 sharps (G♯ C♯ D♯ F♯).

It can also be written as A♭; we use the spelling with fewer accidentals.

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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	G♯m7	G♯ B D♯ F♯	Phrygian G♯	11 (C♯)	b9 (A), b13 (E)
bIIMaj7 characteristic	AMaj7	A C♯ E G♯	Lydian A	9 (B), #11 (D♯), 13 (F♯)	–
bIII7	B7	B D♯ F♯ A	Mixolydian B	9 (C♯), 13 (G♯)	11 (E)
IVm7	C♯m7	C♯ E G♯ B	Aeolian C♯	9 (D♯), 11 (F♯)	b13 (A)
Vø	D♯ø	D♯ F♯ A C♯	Locrian D♯	11 (G♯), b13 (B)	b9 (E)
bVIMaj7	EMaj7	E G♯ B D♯	Ionian E	9 (F♯), 13 (C♯)	11 (A)
bVIIm7 characteristic	F♯m7	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 (AMaj7), bVIIm7 (F♯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 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 = G♯m7, bIIMaj7 = AMaj7, bIII7 = B7, IVm7 = C♯m7, Vø = D♯ø, bVIMaj7 = EMaj7, bVIIm7 = F♯m7.