The C Phrygian scale delivers a dark, exotic sound that’s common in flamenco, metal, and fusion styles. Built as the third mode of the A♭ major scale, it uses the same notes but establishes C as the tonal centre, giving it a moody, minor quality.
On this page, you’ll find five tabbed fretboard positions for the C Phrygian scale. These patterns cover the full neck and help you create solos and riffs that highlight the tension and character of the Phrygian mode.
Fretboard Position 1
e|--------------------------------|----------------------[8]-| B|--------------------------------|------------8--9--11------| G|--------------------------------|-----8--10----------------| D|------------------------8--[10]-|-11-----------------------| A|-------------8--10--11----------|--------------------------| E|-[8]--9--11---------------------|--------------------------|
Fretboard Position 2
e|----------------------------------|---------------------------11-| B|----------------------------------|-----------------[13]--14-----| G|----------------------------------|-----12--13--15---------------| D|---------------------------11--13-|-15---------------------------| A|-------------11--13--[15]---------|------------------------------| E|-11--13--15-----------------------|------------------------------|
Fretboard Position 3
e|--------------------------|---------------------1-| B|--------------------------|----------[1]--2--4----| G|--------------------------|----1--3---------------| D|---------------------1--3-|-5---------------------| A|----------1--[3]--4-------|-----------------------| E|-1--3--4------------------|-----------------------|
Fretboard Position 4
e|--------------------------|---------------------3-| B|--------------------------|---------------4--6----| G|--------------------------|----3--[5]--6----------| D|---------------------3--5-|-6---------------------| A|----------[3]--4--6-------|-----------------------| E|-3--4--6------------------|-----------------------|
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 C Phrygian): C, D♭, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭
Related Scales
Relative Major: A Flat (Ab) Major Scale Tabs
Parallel Major: C Major Scale Tabs
Chords You Can Play Over
The C Phrygian scale works well over:
- Bbm
- Cm
- Db
- Ebm
- Fdim
- G
- Abm
Explore our complete Guitar Chord Library to connect scales directly to real music.
