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G♭ Phrygian Scale

The G♭ Phrygian scale is the third 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 mode 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 characteristic tones such as the flat 2 (A♭♭), which gives this scale its signature sound.

G♭ Phrygian Scale Formula and Intervals

The interval formula for the Phrygian mode is:

Half – Whole – Whole – Whole – Half – Whole – Whole

Applied to G♭, this gives us:

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

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

Chords in the Key of G♭ Phrygian

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

Related Scales and Modes

If you enjoy the sound of G♭ Phrygian, you may also like:

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♭). These two scales are otherwise identical.

What is the parent scale of G♭ Phrygian?

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

Summary: G♭ Phrygian Scale