ScalesBb Phrygian
Guitar scale · fretboard map
Bb Phrygian Scale
The Bb Phrygian scale is built from the notes Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, F, Gb, and Ab, also known as the Phrygian mode. The diagram below maps every one of those notes across the guitar neck, from the open strings up to the 12th fret, with the root Bb highlighted.
The phrygian scale is a minor scale with a flat second: dark and Spanish-sounding, a favorite in flamenco and metal.
Notes in the Bb Phrygian scale
Bb1
Cbb2
Dbb3
Eb4
F5
Gbb6
Abb7
Bb Phrygian scale on the fretboard
root (Bb) other scale notes
Explore this on the interactive fretboard →
The free Fretboard Explorer lets you switch keys and see the CAGED shapes and scale overlays tile the whole neck.
Other scales in Bb
Bb MajorBb Natural MinorBb Major PentatonicBb Minor PentatonicBb BluesBb DorianBb LydianBb MixolydianBb Harmonic Minor
The phrygian scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the Bb Phrygian scale?
- The Bb Phrygian scale contains 7 notes: Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, F, Gb, and Ab. As scale degrees those are 1, b2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7.
- How do you play the Bb Phrygian scale on guitar?
- Every note above is shown on the fretboard diagram, from the open strings up to the 12th fret, with the root (Bb) highlighted. The pattern is movable: learn the shape once and you can slide it to start on any root. Anchor your playing to the Bb notes so the scale sounds resolved.
- What is the Bb Phrygian scale used for?
- The phrygian scale is a minor scale with a flat second: dark and Spanish-sounding, a favorite in flamenco and metal. Once the shape is under your fingers, try improvising over a backing track in Bb and listen for how each note pulls back toward the root.