Guitar Scale Logic
A Phrygian Guitar Scale in Drop C
Phrygian scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Drop C.
Scale Tablature
Position 1
D|------------------------------0--2--3--| A|------------------------1--3-----------| F|---------------0--2--4-----------------| C|------0--2--4--------------------------| G|2--3-----------------------------------| C|---------------------------------------|
0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 13 notes
Theory & Context
Why This Shape Works
The A Phrygian scale uses A, B♭, C, D, E, F, G and the formula 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7. In Drop C tuning, the open strings run D A F C G C from highest to lowest, so use this map rather than a Standard-tuning shape. Use the map to locate each A root, then select a five-fret position to see its tablature. The chord suggestions use notes from this scale.
Phrygian sounds dark, compressed and exotic. Try it for metal riffs, Spanish-flavoured motifs and tense pedal point ideas. Drop C is C-G-C-F-A-D from low to high. Compared with Standard, the top five strings are a whole tone lower and the sixth string is two whole tones lower.
Hit the b2 against the root to make the Phrygian tension obvious. In Drop C, learn the sixth-string notes separately before connecting them to the upper strings.
- A
- B♭
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
Suggested Chords
Works Well With This Scale
These chords contain notes from the selected scale.
- Amminor
- A5power
- Asus4sus4
- Am7minor 7
- B♭5power
- B♭major
- C5power
- Csus4sus4
- Cmajor
- Dmminor