A Phrygian Mode
A–Bb–C–D–E–F–G
A Phrygian is the 3rd mode of the F major scale: A–Bb–C–D–E–F–G. Its character: exotic, dark, and tense — the sound of flamenco and metal.
The flat 2nd is the defining interval. That half-step from root to ♭2 creates immediate tension and an unmistakably Spanish or Middle Eastern flavor. On guitar, target the flat 2nd (Bb) in your phrases — landing on it against the root is what makes a line sound Phrygian instead of plain minor.
Because every mode of F major shares the same seven notes, any F major fretboard shape works for A Phrygian — what changes is the note you resolve to. Loop a Am vamp or a backing track that stays on A, keep resolving your phrases to A, and the Phrygian color comes through. You'll hear this sound in metal and classical.
A Phrygian is mode 3 of F Major — same seven notes, resolved to A instead.
A Phrygian on the Fretboard
Standard tuning, frets 0–12. Every dot is a note in the mode — blue dots are the root (A).
Notes and Intervals
| Interval | R | ♭2 | ♭3 | 4 | 5 | ♭6 | ♭7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | A | Bb | C | D | E | F | G |
The highlighted Bb is the flat 2nd — the note that gives Phrygian its sound.
Phrygian vs. Natural Minor
Everything else about the two scales is identical — these are the only degrees that change.
| A natural minor | A Phrygian | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | ♭2 | Bb |
Chords in A Phrygian
The seven chords of F Major, reordered to start from A — vamping between the first two or three keeps the Phrygian sound from collapsing back into the parent key.
Songs That Use the Phrygian Sound
Metallica — “Wherever I May Roam”
In E Phrygian. The sitar-like intro and main riff emphasize the F natural (♭2) against the E root, creating the exotic, dark atmosphere.
Paco de Lucía — “Entre dos Aguas”
A Phrygian masterpiece. The entire piece revolves around the characteristic ♭2 (B♭ over A), the defining sound of flamenco guitar.
Joe Satriani — “War”
Uses E Phrygian throughout. The riff hammers the F natural (♭2) against the open E string for maximum tension.
A Phrygian Mode FAQ
What is the A Phrygian mode?
A Phrygian is the 3rd mode of the F major scale — the same seven notes starting from A: A–Bb–C–D–E–F–G. The interval formula is R–♭2–♭3–4–5–♭6–♭7.
What is the difference between A Phrygian and A natural minor?
One note: where A natural minor has 2, A Phrygian has ♭2 (Bb). That single half-step is the entire difference in sound — everything else about the two scales is identical.
What chords work with A Phrygian?
The seven chords of the parent F major scale, reordered to start from A: Am (i), Bb (♭II), C (♭III), Dm (iv), E° (v°), F (♭VI), Gm (♭vii). A two-chord vamp between Am and Bb is the classic way to establish the Phrygian sound without drifting back to the parent key.
What major scale has the same notes as A Phrygian?
F major. A Phrygian uses exactly the notes of F major starting from its 3rd degree, so every F major shape on the fretboard doubles as a A Phrygian shape. The same notes also spell F Ionian, G Dorian, Bb Lydian, C Mixolydian, D Aeolian, and E Locrian.
How do I practice the A Phrygian mode?
Modes live and die by harmonic context — run over a static Am vamp or a drone on A, not a full progression that pulls back to the parent key. Play the F major shapes you already know, resolve every phrase to A, and lean on the flat 2nd (Bb). OpenFret's free Studio has a fretboard viewer and metronome for exactly this, and Guitar Quest turns scale practice into a game with real-time pitch detection.
Modes Sharing These Notes
All seven modes of F Major use the same seven notes — each one treats a different note as home.
Related Modes
Practice A Phrygian with real feedback
Guitar Quest listens to your real guitar and turns scale practice into a game — run modes to battle monsters, with every note checked by pitch detection. Free in your browser, no signup needed.