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Piano scale

G♯ Phrygian Mode

The G♯ Phrygian Mode has 7 notes: G♯ – A – B – C♯ – D♯ – E – F♯.

  1. G♯
    1
  2. A
    2
  3. B
    3
  4. C♯
    4
  5. D♯
    5
  6. E
    6
  7. F♯
    7

Notes of the G♯ Phrygian Mode

DegreeNotesIntervalsFormula
1G♯Root1
2AMinor 2nd♭2
3BMinor 3rd♭3
4C♯Perfect 4th4
5D♯Perfect 5th5
6EMinor 6th♭6
7F♯Minor 7th♭7

Step pattern

H – W – W – W – H – W – W

From the root to the octave the scale moves in this pattern: H – W – W – W – H – W – W.

W = whole step (2 semitones), H = half step (1 semitone), W+H = 3 semitones

Sound and character

Start on the 3rd degree of major — the distinctive ♭2 creates an instantly Spanish or flamenco sound. Also beloved in metal for its darkness.

Sound: Spanish & dark

Chords in the G♯ Phrygian Mode

Stack every other note of the scale on each degree to get its chords.

How to use it

Emphasise the half step between the 1st and 2nd notes to get the flamenco and metal flavour. It works over a minor chord on the root.

G♯ Phrygian Mode uses the same notes as the E Major scale, starting from a different note.

Songs that use it

  • Wherever I May Roam · Metallica
    Metal
  • White Zombie · Rob Zombie
    Metal
  • Flamenco Sketches · Miles Davis
    Jazz

Play the G♯ Phrygian Mode with different sounds in the interactive builder.

Open in the chord builder

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