G 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 G, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where G is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | G A♭ B♭ C D E♭ F |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2m · 3m · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7m |
| Step pattern | H W W W H W W |
| Chords in the key | GmA♭B♭CmD°E♭Fm |
Chords in the G Phrygian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
G Phrygian on the piano
Improvisation drone · G
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano G Phrygian uses three black keys (A♭, B♭ and E♭) and four white.
G · A♭ · B♭ · C · D · E♭ · F
Play G Phrygian on the online piano
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G Phrygian on the guitar
G Phrygian - fr 0–12
G Phrygian on the staff
Notes of the G Phrygian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | A♭ | minor 2nd2m | 1 | |
| 3 | B♭ | minor 3rd3m | 3 | |
| 4 | C | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | D | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | E♭ | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | F | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes G 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 G, G Phrygian has A♭ where G Natural Minor has A; every other note is shared with G Natural Minor (G A B♭ C D E♭ F).
Modes from G Phrygian
Each note of this scale produces a different mode with its own character.
How to use the G Phrygian scale
The diatonic chords of G Phrygian are: i = Gm, II = A♭, III = B♭, iv = Cm, v° = D°, VI = E♭, vii = Fm. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in G 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 G 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.
Where you will hear G Phrygian
Start with the music described above: listen for G Phrygian in it and transcribe a few short phrases by ear. It's the quickest way to learn how the scale sounds.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the G Phrygian scale?
The G Phrygian scale contains G, A♭, B♭, C, D, E♭ and F.
What is the formula for the G Phrygian scale?
G Phrygian follows a minor scale with a flat second degree (H-W-W-W-H-W-W).
Is G Phrygian a major or minor scale?
G Phrygian is a phrygian scale. Dark minor mode with a flat second - Spanish, flamenco and metal flavour.
What chords belong to the G Phrygian scale?
The diatonic chords of G Phrygian are Gm, A♭, B♭, Cm, D°, E♭, Fm.
Which genres use G 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 G Phrygian scale on the piano?
On the piano G Phrygian uses three black keys (A♭, B♭ and E♭) and four white.
What is the difference between G Phrygian and G Natural Minor?
On G, G Phrygian has A♭ where G Natural Minor has A; every other note is shared with G Natural Minor (G A B♭ C D E♭ F).
How do I practise the G 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.