The B Phrygian scale is one of the darkest and most exotic-sounding modes, often heard in metal, flamenco, and progressive styles. As the third mode of the G major scale, it shares the same notes but centres them on B, creating a tense and minor tonality.
On this page, you’ll find five fretboard positions for the B Phrygian scale written in easy-to-follow tab format. These shapes allow you to move across the entire neck while maintaining the signature Phrygian sound.
Fretboard Position 1
e|------------------------------|---------------------[7]-| B|------------------------------|-----------7--8--10------| G|------------------------------|-----7--9----------------| D|-----------------------7--[9]-|-10----------------------| A|-------------7--9--10---------|-------------------------| E|-[7]--8--10-------------------|-------------------------|
Fretboard Position 2
e|--------------------------------|---------------------------10-| B|--------------------------------|-----------------[12]--13-----| G|--------------------------------|-----11--12--14---------------| D|-------------------------10--12-|-14---------------------------| A|------------10--12--[14]--------|------------------------------| E|-10--12--14---------------------|------------------------------|
Fretboard Position 3
e|----------------------------------|---------------------------12-| B|----------------------------------|-------------[12]--13--15-----| G|----------------------------------|-----12--14-------------------| D|---------------------------12--14-|-16---------------------------| A|-------------12--[14]--15---------|------------------------------| E|-12--14--15-----------------------|------------------------------|
Fretboard Position 4
e|--------------------------|---------------------2-| B|--------------------------|---------------3--5----| G|--------------------------|----2--[4]--5----------| D|---------------------2--4-|-5---------------------| A|----------[2]--3--5-------|-----------------------| E|-2--3--5------------------|-----------------------|
Fretboard Position 5
e|---------------------------|---------------------6-| B|---------------------------|------------6--8--9----| G|---------------------------|------6--8-------------| D|----------------------6--8-|-[10]------------------| A|------------6--8--10-------|-----------------------| E|-6--[8]--9-----------------|-----------------------|
Scale Formula & Notes
Formula: 1 – ♭2 – ♭3 – 4 – 5 – ♭6 – ♭7
Notes (in B Phrygian): B, C, D, E, F♯, G, A
Related Scales
Relative Major: G Major Scale Tabs
Parallel Major: B Major Scale Tabs
Chords You Can Play Over B Phrygian
The B Phrygian scale works well over:
- Bm
- C
- Dm
- Edim
- F Sharp
- Gm
- Am
Explore our complete Guitar Chord Library to connect scales directly to real music.
