The A Phrygian scale is the third mode of the F major scale, giving it an exotic, tense sound that’s widely used in metal, flamenco, and jazz fusion. With its flat 2nd and flat 6th, the Phrygian mode stands out for its dark, dramatic flavour.
Below you’ll find five fretboard positions of the A Phrygian scale in guitar tab format. These patterns will help you explore the mode across the entire neck, whether you’re improvising solos or building riffs that emphasise its distinctive mood.
Fretboard Position 1
e|----------------------------|-------------------[5]-| B|----------------------------|----------5--6--8------| G|----------------------------|----5--7---------------| D|---------------------5--[7]-|-8---------------------| A|------------5--7--8---------|-----------------------| E|-[5]--6--8------------------|-----------------------|
Fretboard Position 2
e|-------------------------------|--------------------------8-| B|-------------------------------|----------------[10]--11----| G|-------------------------------|-----9--10--12--------------| D|-------------------------8--10-|-12-------------------------| A|------------8--10--[12]--------|----------------------------| E|-8--10--12---------------------|----------------------------|
Fretboard Position 3
e|---------------------------------|-------------------------10-| B|---------------------------------|-------------[10]--11--13---| G|---------------------------------|-----10--12-----------------| D|--------------------------10--12-|-14-------------------------| A|-------------10--12--[13]--------|----------------------------| E|-10--12--13----------------------|----------------------------|
Fretboard Position 4
e|----------------------------------|-------------------------12-| B|----------------------------------|----------------13--15------| G|----------------------------------|-----12--14--15-------------| D|---------------------------12--14-|-15-------------------------| A|-------------[12]--13--15---------|----------------------------| E|-12--13--15-----------------------|----------------------------|
Fretboard Position 5
e|--------------------------|---------------------3-| B|--------------------------|------------3--5--6----| G|--------------------------|------3--5-------------| D|---------------------3--5-|-[7]-------------------| A|------------3--5--7-------|-----------------------| E|-3--[5]--6----------------|-----------------------|
Scale Formula & Notes
Formula: 1 – ♭2 – ♭3 – 4 – 5 – ♭6 – ♭7
Notes (in A Phrygian): A, Bb, C, D, E, F, G
Related Scales
Relative Major: F Major Scale Tabs
Parallel Major: A Major Scale Tabs
Chords You Can Play Over A Phrygian
The A Phrygian scale works well over:
- Am
- Bb
- Cm
- Ddim
- E
- Fm
- Gm
Explore our complete Guitar Chord Library to connect scales directly to real music.
