G♯ Phrygian scale
The G♯ Phrygian scale is a 7-note phrygian scale built on the root G♯. Its notes are G♯, A, B, C♯, D♯, E and F♯. Dark minor mode with a flat second - Spanish, flamenco and metal flavour. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make G♯ Phrygian a great tool for improvising and composing.
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
- Tonic
- G♯
G♯ Phrygian on the piano
G♯ Phrygian on the guitar
G♯ Phrygian on the staff
Hear the G♯ Phrygian scale
Improvisation drone
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
Notes of the G♯ Phrygian scale
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1P | 0 | G♯(G#) | |
| 2 | 2m | 1 | A | |
| 3 | 3m | 3 | B | |
| 4 | 4P | 5 | C♯(C#) | |
| 5 | 5P | 7 | D♯(D#) | |
| 6 | 6m | 8 | E | |
| 7 | 7m | 10 | F♯(F#) |
Diatonic chords of G♯ Phrygian
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
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 = G♯m, II = A, III = B, iv = C♯m, v° = D♯°, VI = E, vii = F♯m. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in G♯ Phrygian. Click any chord below to open its full 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.
Where you will hear G♯ Phrygian
G♯ Phrygian appears throughout 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. Listening to music in this scale and transcribing short phrases is the fastest way to absorb its sound.
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.
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 G♯m, A, B, C♯m, D♯°, E, F♯m.
- 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 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.