G♭ Phrygian Scale

The G♭ Phrygian scale is the 3rd mode of the E♭♭ major scale, giving it a distinctive dark, exotic, and tense sound commonly used in flamenco, metal, jazz, and cinematic music.

This page covers everything you need to know about the G♭ Phrygian scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.

G♭ Phrygian Scale Notes

The G♭ Phrygian scale contains the following notes:

G♭ – A♭♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ – D♭ – E♭♭ – F♭

These notes come directly from the E♭♭ major parent scale, starting on its 3rd degree (G♭).

G♭ Phrygian Piano Diagram

This diagram highlights which keys belong to the G♭ Phrygian scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and the overall shape of the scale on the keyboard.

G♭ Phrygian Scale Formula and Intervals

The interval formula for the Phrygian scale is:

H – W – W – W – H – W – W

Applied to G♭, this gives us:

G♭ → A♭♭
A♭♭ → B♭♭
B♭♭ → C♭
C♭ → D♭
D♭ → E♭♭
E♭♭ → F♭
F♭ → G♭

Thus, G♭ Phrygian is built with the following scale degrees:

Root (G♭)
Minor 2nd (A♭♭)
Minor 3rd (B♭♭)
Perfect 4th (C♭)
Perfect 5th (D♭)
Minor 6th (E♭♭)
Minor 7th (F♭)

This structure gives the Phrygian mode its characteristic minor quality combined with a distinctive flat 2nd.

How to Play the G♭ Phrygian Scale on Piano

Below are our suggested fingerings for smooth, consistent playing.

Left Hand Fingering (Ascending)

2 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 1 – 2 – 3

Right Hand Fingering (Ascending)

3 – 1 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 – 4 – 3

Chords in the Key of G♭ Phrygian

When stacking thirds on each scale degree of the G♭ Phrygian scale, the following diatonic triads emerge:

G♭ minor (i)
A♭♭ major (II)
B♭♭ major (III)
C♭ minor (iv)
D♭ diminished (v°)
E♭♭ major (VI)
F♭ minor (vii)

Related Scales and Modes

If you enjoy playing in G♭ Phrygian, you may also like:

G♭ Phrygian Dominant (Phrygian with a major 3rd)
G♭ minor
G♭ Locrian
E♭♭ major (parent scale)

G♭ Phrygian Scale FAQs

How is G♭ Phrygian different from G♭ natural minor?

G♭ Phrygian has a minor 2nd (A♭♭) while G♭ natural minor has a major 2nd (A♭).

What is the parent scale of G♭ Phrygian?

E♭♭ major. G♭ Phrygian uses the same notes as E♭♭ major, but starts on its 3rd degree (G♭).

Summary: G♭ Phrygian Scale

Notes: G♭, A♭♭, B♭♭, C♭, D♭, E♭♭, F♭
Mode: 3rd mode of E♭♭ major
Formula: H, W, W, W, H, W, W