About the F sharp Phrygian Pentatonic scale
F sharp Phrygian Pentatonic is used for flamenco-flavored and modal melodies. Think of it as a dark five-note scale with a flat second.
Its notes are F♯, G, B, C♯, and E. The formula is H 4 semitones W 1½ W. It is the second mode of E Dorian Pentatonic.
Also called Insen and Kokin-joshi.
E, G, and B are open guitar strings that sit inside this scale, ready to drone under a riff. A guitarist finds the lowest F♯ at the 2nd fret of the low E string. With a capo at the second fret, F♯ Phrygian Pentatonic can be played with E-shape fingerings.
Positions
Playable shapes for this scale up the neck. Tap any note to hear it.
Pentatonic boxes
The five shapes blues and rock are built on, the first scale most guitarists ever solo with, one box per note up the neck.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | F#F♯ | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | GG | Minor 2nd |
| 3 | BB | Perfect 4th |
| 4 | C#C♯ | Perfect 5th |
| 5 | EE | Minor 7th |
| Steps | H 4 semitones W 1½ W |
|---|---|
| Semitones | 1-4-2-3-2 |
| Degrees | 1 ♭2 4 5 ♭7 |
Shapes
Chromatic
Circle of Fifths
Related scales
Phrygian Pentatonic in other keys
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.
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