Phrygian Mode
The Phrygian Mode has a minor quality due to its minor Third E♭. The Phrygian Mode, like Phrygian, is one of seven diatonic modes originally formed using just the natural notes (think just the white keys on a piano) but starting on a particular note, E in the case of the Phrygian Mode, which creates a unique sequence of intervals. This mode can then be transposed to any key such as Phrygian Mode in this example. Phrygian Mode is classified as a heptatonic scale as it has seven notes, C, D♭, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭. The Phrygian Mode is also known as a diatonic scale which conforms to specific rules.
Below you will find the Phrygian Mode notes, notation, patterns, degrees, intervals and more. You can also opt to see the Phrygian Mode on your preferred instrument.
Notes Ascending
C, D♭, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭, C
Notes Descending
C, B♭, A♭, G, F, E♭, D♭, C
Notation Ascending
Notation Descending
Pattern Ascending
S, T, T, T, S, T, T
S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)
Pattern Descending
T, T, S, T, T, T, S
S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)
Degrees Ascending
| Note | Number | Name |
|---|---|---|
| C | 1 | Tonic |
| D♭ | ♭2 | Supertonic |
| E♭ | ♭3 | Mediant |
| F | 4 | Subdominant |
| G | 5 | Dominant |
| A♭ | ♭6 | Submediant |
| B♭ | ♭7 | Subtonic |
| C | 8 | Tonic (Octave) |
Degrees Descending
| Note | Number | Name |
|---|---|---|
| C | 8 | Tonic (Octave) |
| B♭ | ♭7 | Subtonic |
| A♭ | ♭6 | Submediant |
| G | 5 | Dominant |
| F | 4 | Subdominant |
| E♭ | ♭3 | Mediant |
| D♭ | ♭2 | Supertonic |
| C | 1 | Tonic |
Intervals Ascending
| Notes | Semitones | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| C > C | 0 | Perfect Unison (P1) |
| C > D♭ | 1 | minor 2nd (m2) |
| C > E♭ | 3 | minor 3rd (m3) |
| C > F | 5 | Perfect 4th (P4) |
| C > G | 7 | Perfect 5th (P5) |
| C > A♭ | 8 | minor 6th (m6) |
| C > B♭ | 10 | minor 7th (m7) |
| C > C | 12 | Perfect Octave (P8) |
Intervals Descending
| Notes | Semitones | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| C > C | 0 | Perfect Unison (P1) |
| C > B♭ | 2 | Major 2nd (M2) |
| C > A♭ | 4 | Major 3rd (M3) |
| C > G | 5 | Perfect 4th (P4) |
| C > F | 7 | Perfect 5th (P5) |
| C > E♭ | 9 | Major 6th (M6) |
| C > D♭ | 11 | Major 7th (M7) |
| C > C | 12 | Perfect Octave (P8) |
Modes related to C Phrygian Mode
Enharmonic Equivalent Mode
Scale with the same root and notes as the C Phrygian Mode but different spelling.
B♯ Phrygian Mode
Chords related to C Phrygian Mode
Related Triads
These chords have been built using the notes of the C Phrygian Mode. The chords are in degree order and shown in Roman numerals (lowercase = minor/diminished, uppercase = Major/Augmented).
i Chord - C Minor
♭II Chord - D♭ Major
♭III Chord - E♭ Major
iv Chord - F Minor
vo Chord - G Diminished
♭VI Chord - A♭ Major
♭vii Chord - B♭ Minor
Learn to Play Phrygian Mode
If you want to learn what scales and modes are and much more, check out our free Fundamentals of Music Theory course. If you already know some of the basics, you can jump straight into the scales lesson.
