The C♯ Phrygian scale brings a dark, exotic flavor that’s instantly recognizable in metal, flamenco, and fusion styles. Built from the third mode of the A major scale, it combines tension with a minor tonality, making it a powerful tool for solos and riffs.
On this page you’ll find five easy-to-follow guitar tab positions for the C♯ Phrygian scale. These patterns unlock the full fretboard, letting you move seamlessly across the neck while staying in key.
Fretboard Position 1
e|---------------------------------|-----------------------[9]-| B|---------------------------------|------------9--10--12------| G|---------------------------------|-----9--11-----------------| D|-------------------------9--[11]-|-12------------------------| A|--------------9--11--12----------|---------------------------| E|-[9]--10--12---------------------|---------------------------|
Fretboard Position 2
e|----------------------------------|---------------------------12-| B|----------------------------------|-----------------[14]--15-----| G|----------------------------------|-----13--14--16---------------| D|---------------------------12--14-|-16---------------------------| A|-------------12--14--[16]---------|------------------------------| E|-12--14--16-----------------------|------------------------------|
Fretboard Position 3
e|--------------------------|---------------------2-| B|--------------------------|----------[2]--3--5----| G|--------------------------|----2--4---------------| D|---------------------2--4-|-6---------------------| A|----------2--[4]--5-------|-----------------------| E|-2--4--5------------------|-----------------------|
Fretboard Position 4
e|--------------------------|---------------------4-| B|--------------------------|---------------5--7----| G|--------------------------|----4--[6]--7----------| D|---------------------4--6-|-7---------------------| A|----------[4]--5--7-------|-----------------------| E|-4--5--7------------------|-----------------------|
Fretboard Position 5
e|----------------------------|----------------------7-| B|----------------------------|------------7--9--10----| G|----------------------------|------7--9--------------| D|-----------------------7--9-|-[11]-------------------| A|-------------7--9--11-------|------------------------| E|-7--[9]--10-----------------|------------------------|
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 Major Scale Tabs
Parallel Major: C♯ Major Scale Tabs
Chords You Can Play Over C♯ Phrygian
The C♯ Phrygian scale works well over:
- C♯ minor
- D major
- E minor
- F♯ diminished
- G major
- A minor
- B minor
Explore our complete Guitar Chord Library to connect scales directly to real music.
