Notes in the E Phrygian scale
| Degree | Note | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | Tonic |
| ♭2 | F | Supertonic |
| ♭3 | G | Mediant |
| 4 | A | Subdominant |
| 5 | B | Dominant |
| ♭6 | C | Submediant |
| ♭7 | D | Subtonic |
Each note uses a different letter name, so the spelling follows the scale rather than the keyboard: E F G A B C D.
E Phrygian scale formula
The pattern of steps from one note to the next is H – W – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step). Compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.
Chords in the E Phrygian scale
Stacking thirds on each note of the scale gives these chords:
| Degree | Triad | 7th chord |
|---|---|---|
| i | Em | Em7 |
| II | F | Fmaj7 |
| III | G | G7 |
| iv | Am | Am7 |
| v° | B° | Bø7 |
| VI | C | Cmaj7 |
| vii | Dm | Dm7 |
Chord names link to guitar chord shapes where we have them.
Related scales
- Parent major scale: C Major, which has exactly the same notes as E Phrygian.
How to practise the E Phrygian scale
Learn each mode by its characteristic note: the one that makes it different from the major or minor scale it most resembles. Play a drone on the tonic while you play the scale to hear its colour.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes in the E Phrygian scale?
The notes of the E Phrygian scale are E F G A B C D.
What is the formula for the E Phrygian scale?
The pattern of whole and half steps is H – W – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step). In scale degrees: 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.
What chords are in the E Phrygian scale?
Built from the scale in triads: Em, F, G, Am, B°, C, Dm.
More E scales
E Major, E Natural Minor, E Harmonic Minor, E Melodic Minor, E Dorian, E Lydian, E Mixolydian, E Locrian, E Major Pentatonic, E Minor Pentatonic, E Blues, E Lydian Dominant, E Altered, E Whole Tone, E Dorian ♭2, E Lydian Augmented, E Mixolydian ♭6, E Locrian ♯2, E Phrygian Dominant, E Hungarian Minor, E Double Harmonic, E Diminished (W–H), E Diminished (H–W), E Bebop Dominant, E Bebop Major
Explore the full scales library, find a scale from notes with the scale finder, or see every chord in every key in the chord chart.