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E Phrygian Mode Scale Diagram
Key to Symbols


E Phrygian Mode Scale Diagram

Guitar Lesson Summary & Chart Explanation

Notes:

E F G A B C D

Scale Degrees:

1 b2 3 4 5 b6 7

Alternative Names:

E Phrygian Mode

Phrygian Mode is Minor

Phrygian Mode is the third mode of Major (Ionian) and the 5th mode of Minor (Aeolian). Since it has a flatted third scale degree and a natural 5th scale degree, it is in the minor family of chord and scale qualities.

Phrygian Mode is Spanish Minor...

Phrygian mode is better known as the Spanish Minor Scale. Phrygian Mode / Spanish Minor is actually a scale used in Spanish Folk music, and it sounds, well, kind of Spanish.

Actually it sounds really Spanish, and almost stereotypically so when played against Major chords. A good  analogy would be the stereotypically American sound you get from playing the minor blues over all dominant 7th chords.

I'll go one step further here and admit I really hate calling it Phrygian Mode as it tells you nothing about what it sounds like, and I think we owe the country that invented the guitar a bit of respect.

Like the Blues Scale, it is a minor scale that works against Major and Dominant chords, the "clashing" notes providing it with its unique character or color.

...and Can Be Very Metal

When used to extend the Blues scale, it becomes a staple of Metal, especially the 1980's Thrash Metal. The first four Metallica albums are a good example.

 

 

Fingering- A Spanish Minor

E Spanish Minor:

Guide to Minor Scales

 

References

Aebersold, Jamey, and Jamey Aebersold Jazz. How to Play Jazz and Improvise. V. 1 V. 1. New Albany, IN: Jamey Aebersold Jazz, 1992.
Bay, William. Mel Bays Complete Book of Guitar Chords, Scales and Arpeggios. Pacific, Mo: M. Bay, 1992.
Be dangerous on rock guitar. Port Chester: Cherry Lane, 1984.
Berle, Arnie, and Ronnie Ball. Chords & Progressions for Jazz & Popular Guitar. New York: Amsco Publications: Exclusive distributor, Music Sales Corp, 1986.
Damian, Jon, and Jonathan Feist. The Guitarists Guide to Composing and Improvising. Workshop / Berklee Press. Boston, MA: Milwaukee, Wis: Berklee Press; Distributed by H. Leonard Corp, 2001.
Jamey Aebersold. Major & Minor. [S.l.]: Jamey Aebersold.
Latarski, Don. Arpeggios for Guitar: A New Approach to Arpeggios and Their Relationship to Chords and Scales, for the Rock, Blues and Jazz Guitarist. Van Nuys, CA.: Alfred, 1990.
Latarski, Don Practical Theory for Guitar. Miami, Fla.: Warner Bros. Publications, 1993.
Nothiin [sic] but blues for all musicians play-a-long book and stereo CD set. New Albany: Jamey Aebersold Jazz.
Perricone, Jack. Melody in Songwriting: Tools and Techniques for Writing Hit Songs. Berklee Guide. Boston, MA: Milwaukee, Wis: Berklee Press; Distributed by Hal Leonard, 2000.
Roth, Arlen. Hot Guitar. San Francisco: Emeryville, CA: Milwaukee, WI: Miller Freeman Books; Distributed to the book trade in the U.S. and Canada by Publishers Group West; Distributed to the music trade in the U.S. and Canada by Hal Leonard Pub, 1996.
Scales & Modes in the Beginning: Created Especially for Guitarists. Fullerton, CA; Winona, MN: Centerstream Publications; Exclusively distributed by Hal Leonard Pub. Corp., 1982.
Shearer, Aaron. Learning the Classic Guitar. Pacific, MO: Mel Bay, 1990.
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