E Phrygian at a glance
Phrygian is the dark, exotic side of minor - think flamenco, metal, hip-hop and middle-eastern music. The flat second creates instant tension over the tonic. Built on the root E, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where E is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | E F G A B C D |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2m · 3m · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7m |
| Step pattern | H W W W H W W |
| Chords in the key | EmFGAmB°CDm |
Chords in the E Phrygian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
E Phrygian on the piano
Improvisation drone · E
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano E Phrygian uses only white keys.
E · F · G · A · B · C · D
Play E Phrygian on the online piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
E Phrygian on the guitar
E Phrygian - fr 0–12
E Phrygian on the staff
Notes of the E Phrygian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | F | minor 2nd2m | 1 | |
| 3 | G | minor 3rd3m | 3 | |
| 4 | A | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | B | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | C | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | D | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes E Phrygian different
Phrygian is a minor mode whose second degree sits only a half step above the tonic, and that flat second is all that separates it from natural minor. The half step from ♭2 down to 1 gives the mode its Spanish and metal colour, and the major chord on ♭II, a half step above the tonic, is its signature cadence. It's the third mode of the major scale, so it shares its notes with the major scale a major third below its root. Its v chord is diminished, so it can't cadence the way a minor key usually does. On E, E Phrygian has F where E Natural Minor has F♯; every other note is shared with E Natural Minor (E F♯ G A B C D).
Modes from E Phrygian
Each note of this scale produces a different mode with its own character.
How to use the E Phrygian scale
The diatonic chords of E Phrygian are: i = Em, II = F, III = G, iv = Am, v° = B°, VI = C, vii = Dm. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in E Phrygian. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own diagram and progressions.
Phrygian is the dark, exotic side of minor - think flamenco, metal, hip-hop and middle-eastern music. The flat second creates instant tension over the tonic.
Practice tips
Lean on the flat second to immediately establish the phrygian sound. Great drill: alternate the root and flat second back and forth as a pedal.
Formula & step pattern
The E Phrygian scale follows a minor scale with a flat second degree (H-W-W-W-H-W-W). Step pattern: H - W - W - W - H - W - W. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2m · 3m · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7m. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Famous songs in E Phrygian
These well-known tracks all use the E Phrygian scale.
- 01Symphony of DestructionMegadeth · verse
Questions people ask
What notes are in the E Phrygian scale?
The E Phrygian scale contains E, F, G, A, B, C and D.
What is the formula for the E Phrygian scale?
E Phrygian follows a minor scale with a flat second degree (H-W-W-W-H-W-W).
Is E Phrygian a major or minor scale?
E Phrygian is a phrygian scale. Dark minor mode with a flat second - Spanish, flamenco and metal flavour.
What chords belong to the E Phrygian scale?
The diatonic chords of E Phrygian are Em, F, G, Am, B°, C, Dm.
Which genres use E Phrygian?
Phrygian is the dark, exotic side of minor - think flamenco, metal, hip-hop and middle-eastern music. The flat second creates instant tension over the tonic.
How do you play the E Phrygian scale on the piano?
On the piano E Phrygian uses only white keys.
What is the difference between E Phrygian and E Natural Minor?
On E, E Phrygian has F where E Natural Minor has F♯; every other note is shared with E Natural Minor (E F♯ G A B C D).
How do I practise the E Phrygian scale?
Lean on the flat second to immediately establish the phrygian sound. Great drill: alternate the root and flat second back and forth as a pedal.