Chord Colors

G♯ Phrygian Pentatonic scale

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About the G sharp Phrygian Pentatonic scale

G 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 G, A, C, D, and F. The formula is H 4 semitones W 1½ W. It is the second mode of F Dorian Pentatonic.

Also called Insen and Kokin-joshi.

Learn more about the G♯ Phrygian Pentatonic scale

The mode shares A with the guitar's open strings. A guitarist finds the lowest G at the 4th fret of the low E string. With a capo at the first fret, G Phrygian Pentatonic can be played with G-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.

Box 1fr 2
Box 2fr 4
Box 3fr 5
Box 4fr 9
Box 5fr 11

Notes and intervals

1G#G♯Root
2AAMinor 2nd
3C#C♯Perfect 4th
4D#D♯Perfect 5th
5F#F♯Minor 7th
StepsH 4 semitones W 1½ W
Semitones1-4-2-3-2
Degrees1 2 4 5 7

Shapes

Chromatic

CC♯D♭DD♯E♭EFF♯G♭GG♯A♭AA♯B♭B

Circle of Fifths

CGDAEBF♯G♭C♯D♭G♯A♭D♯E♭A♯B♭F

Related scales

Phrygian Pentatonic in other keys

Modes

The same notes, starting on a different note.

Embed this scale

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Ab Phrygian Pentatonic scale on guitar shown as colored note dots
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