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Major Modes

C Phrygian

NOTES
C C♯ D♯ F G G♯ A♯ C
SCALE FORMULA
1 – ♭2 – ♭3 – 4 – 5 – ♭6 – ♭7
ABOUT THIS SCALE

A dark minor mode distinguished by its flat second. Common in metal, flamenco-influenced music and heavier modal sounds.

GUITAR FRETBOARD

C Phrygian

Standard tuning — E A D G B E — open through fret 24.

Scale note Root Click any note to hear it.
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Playback: The scale follows a practical two-octave route across nearby strings and frets. The note currently sounding turns bright white.
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Chord progression ideas

Key of C

Phrygian Vamp

i – ♭II – i
Cm → C♯ → Cm

The half-step movement between the tonic and flat-II chord is the signature Phrygian sound.

Dark Modal Jam

i – ♭II – ♭vii – i
Cm → C♯ → A♯m → Cm

A darker progression that keeps the flat second prominent while giving the soloist additional movement.