B Phrygian Mode
B–C–D–E–F#–G–A
B Phrygian is the 3rd mode of the G major scale: B–C–D–E–F#–G–A. 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 (C) in your phrases — landing on it against the root is what makes a line sound Phrygian instead of plain minor.
Because every mode of G major shares the same seven notes, any G major fretboard shape works for B Phrygian — what changes is the note you resolve to. Loop a Bm vamp or a backing track that stays on B, keep resolving your phrases to B, and the Phrygian color comes through. You'll hear this sound in metal and classical.
B Phrygian is mode 3 of G Major — same seven notes, resolved to B instead.
B Phrygian on the Fretboard
Standard tuning, frets 0–12. Every dot is a note in the mode — blue dots are the root (B).
Notes and Intervals
| Interval | R | ♭2 | ♭3 | 4 | 5 | ♭6 | ♭7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | B | C | D | E | F# | G | A |
The highlighted C 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.
| B natural minor | B Phrygian | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | ♭2 | C |
Chords in B Phrygian
The seven chords of G Major, reordered to start from B — 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.
B Phrygian Mode FAQ
What is the B Phrygian mode?
B Phrygian is the 3rd mode of the G major scale — the same seven notes starting from B: B–C–D–E–F#–G–A. The interval formula is R–♭2–♭3–4–5–♭6–♭7.
What is the difference between B Phrygian and B natural minor?
One note: where B natural minor has 2, B Phrygian has ♭2 (C). That single half-step is the entire difference in sound — everything else about the two scales is identical.
What chords work with B Phrygian?
The seven chords of the parent G major scale, reordered to start from B: Bm (i), C (♭II), D (♭III), Em (iv), F#° (v°), G (♭VI), Am (♭vii). A two-chord vamp between Bm and C is the classic way to establish the Phrygian sound without drifting back to the parent key.
What major scale has the same notes as B Phrygian?
G major. B Phrygian uses exactly the notes of G major starting from its 3rd degree, so every G major shape on the fretboard doubles as a B Phrygian shape. The same notes also spell G Ionian, A Dorian, C Lydian, D Mixolydian, E Aeolian, and F# Locrian.
How do I practice the B Phrygian mode?
Modes live and die by harmonic context — run over a static Bm vamp or a drone on B, not a full progression that pulls back to the parent key. Play the G major shapes you already know, resolve every phrase to B, and lean on the flat 2nd (C). 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 G Major use the same seven notes — each one treats a different note as home.
Related Modes
Practice B 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.