E Phrygian Mode Scale Diagram
by Jay SkylerGuitar Lesson Summary & Chart Explanation
Notes:
E F G A B C D
Scale Degrees:
1 b2
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