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:

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 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:

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 the sound of G♯ Phrygian, you may also like:

G♯ Phrygian Dominant (Phrygian with a major 3rd)
G♯ Natural Minor (Aeolian)
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♯). 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

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