Phrygian mode: notes, formula and its Spanish sound
The Phrygian mode is a minor scale with a flat 2nd (1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7). Hear its dark, Spanish colour, see it in all 12 keys and spot the wrong note.
The Phrygian mode is a minor scale with a flat 2nd: degrees 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. E Phrygian is E F G A B C D E, the white keys from E. The half step right above the tonic gives it a dark, tense, Spanish or flamenco flavour.
Listen: A Phrygian mode
A B♭ C D E F G A
What is the formula of the Phrygian mode?
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Notes | 7 |
| Semitones from the tonic | 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12 |
| Step pattern | H-W-W-W-H-W-W |
| Uses the notes of | the major scale a major third below (3rd mode) |
What does the Phrygian mode sound like?
Dark and exotic, heard in flamenco, metal riffs and film music. The ♭2-to-1 move is its signature.
How to recognise it by ear
- Listen to the first step: a half step up from the tonic means Phrygian (or Locrian).
- Phrygian is the 3rd mode of the major scale: E Phrygian uses the notes of C major.
- With a major third instead of the minor one, it becomes Phrygian dominant, common in flamenco.
Spot the wrong note
Each scale below is a Phrygian mode with one note moved a half step. Find it by ear.
Score: / 3 (your score updates as you answer)
The Phrygian mode in all 12 keys
| Scale | Notes | Same notes as | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Phrygian | A B♭ C D E F G | F major | |
| E Phrygian | E F G A B C D | C major | |
| B Phrygian | B C D E F♯ G A | G major | |
| F♯ Phrygian | F♯ G A B C♯ D E | D major | |
| C♯ Phrygian | C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A B | A major | |
| G♯ Phrygian | G♯ A B C♯ D♯ E F♯ | E major | |
| D Phrygian | D E♭ F G A B♭ C | B♭ major | |
| G Phrygian | G A♭ B♭ C D E♭ F | E♭ major | |
| C Phrygian | C D♭ E♭ F G A♭ B♭ | A♭ major | |
| F Phrygian | F G♭ A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭ | D♭ major | |
| B♭ Phrygian | B♭ C♭ D♭ E♭ F G♭ A♭ | G♭ major | |
| E♭ Phrygian | E♭ F♭ G♭ A♭ B♭ C♭ D♭ | C♭ major |
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula of the Phrygian mode?
H-W-W-W-H-W-W, or degrees 1, flat 2, flat 3, 4, 5, flat 6, flat 7 (0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10 semitones).
What notes are in E Phrygian?
E F G A B C D: the notes of C major, starting on E.
What is the difference between Phrygian and natural minor?
The 2nd degree. Phrygian has a minor 2nd (a half step above the tonic), natural minor a major 2nd.
Why does Phrygian sound Spanish?
The half step between the 2nd degree and the tonic (F to E) is central to flamenco and the Andalusian cadence, so the ear links it with Spanish music.