About the E Phrygian scale
E Phrygian is used for flamenco, metal riffs and film cues that need menace or mystery. Think of it as a dark, exotic minor with a tense half-step right above the root. It is E Natural Minor with the second lowered.
Its notes are E, F, G, A, B, C, and D. The formula is H W W W H W W. It is the third mode of C Major.
Also called Inverted Major and Bhairavi.
E Phrygian plays entirely on the white keys.
Chords in the key of E Phrygian
Expand a chord to see how to play it.
i E minor
E minor over G (1st inversion)
II F
F over A (1st inversion)
III G
G over B (1st inversion)
iv A minor
A minor over C (1st inversion)
v° B diminished
B diminished over D (1st inversion)
VI C
C over E (1st inversion)
vii D minor
D minor over F (1st inversion)
Seventh chords in E Phrygian
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
i E minor seven
E minor seven
II F major seven
F major seven
III G seven
G seven
iv A minor seven
A minor seven
v° B minor seven flat five
B minor seven flat five
VI C major seven
C major seven
vii D minor seven
D minor seven
Progressions in E Phrygian
Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | EE | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | FF | Minor 2nd |
| 3 | GG | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | AA | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | BB | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | CC | Minor 6th |
| 7 | DD | Minor 7th |
| Steps | H W W W H W W |
|---|---|
| Semitones | 1-2-2-2-1-2-2 |
| Degrees | 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7 |
Fingering
Suggested fingering, follows standard fingering rules
| Hand | E | F | G | A | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Shapes
Chromatic
Circle of Fifths
Related scales
Phrygian in other keys
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.