Learn the E Phrygian scale — notes, intervals, chords, modes, and more.
The E Phrygian scale contains the following notes:
E – F – G – A – B – C – DThe scale degrees of the E Phrygian scale are:
1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7| Scale Degree | Note |
|---|---|
| 1 | E |
| ♭2 | F |
| ♭3 | G |
| 4 | A |
| 5 | B |
| ♭6 | C |
| ♭7 | D |
The E Phrygian scale uses the interval pattern H, W, W, W, H, W, W
| From | To | Step |
|---|---|---|
| E | F | H |
| F | G | W |
| G | A | W |
| A | B | W |
| B | C | H |
| C | D | W |
| D | E | W |
| Scale Degree | Note | Interval from E |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | Perfect Unison |
| ♭2 | F | Minor 2nd |
| ♭3 | G | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | A | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | B | Perfect 5th |
| ♭6 | C | Minor 6th |
| ♭7 | D | Minor 7th |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i | Em | E, G, B |
| II | F | F, A, C |
| III | G | G, B, D |
| iv | Am | A, C, E |
| v° | Bdim | B, D, F |
| VI | C | C, E, G |
| vii | Dm | D, F, A |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i7 | Em7 | E, G, B, D |
| IImaj7 | Fmaj7 | F, A, C, E |
| III7 | G7 | G, B, D, F |
| iv7 | Am7 | A, C, E, G |
| vø7 | Bm7♭5 | B, D, F, A |
| VImaj7 | Cmaj7 | C, E, G, B |
| vii7 | Dm7 | D, F, A, C |
The modes of E Phrygian use the same notes but start on different scale degrees.
| Mode | Starting note | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| C Ionian | C | C, D, E, F, G, A, B |
| D Dorian | D | D, E, F, G, A, B, C |
| E Phrygian | E | E, F, G, A, B, C, D |
| F Lydian | F | F, G, A, B, C, D, E |
| G Mixolydian | G | G, A, B, C, D, E, F |
| A Aeolian | A | A, B, C, D, E, F, G |
| B Locrian | B | B, C, D, E, F, G, A |
E Phrygian is the 3rd mode of the C major scale. Both share the same 7 notes — Phrygian starts on the 3rd degree (E) instead of the root (C).
The only difference is the 2nd degree. E Phrygian has a minor 2nd (F), while E natural minor has a major 2nd. That flat 2nd is Phrygian's defining characteristic — it gives the scale its distinctively dark, tense sound.