Guitar Scale Logic
A# Phrygian Guitar Scale in Open D
Phrygian scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Open D.
Scale Tablature
Position 1
D |------------------------------1--3--4--| A |------------------------2--4-----------| F#|------------------2--4-----------------| D |---------1--3--4-----------------------| A |1--2--4--------------------------------| D |---------------------------------------|
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 Open D tuning, the open strings run D A F# D A D 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. Open D is D-A-D-F#-A-D from low to high. Its open strings form a D major chord, which you can use alongside fretted melody notes.
Hit the b2 against the root to make the Phrygian tension obvious. In Open D, find the D roots first, then follow the notes across the strings.
- A♯
- B
- C♯
- D♯
- E♯
- F♯
- G♯
Suggested Chords
Works Well With This Scale
These chords contain notes from the selected scale.
- A♯mminor
- A♯5power
- A♯sus4sus4
- A♯m7minor 7
- B5power
- Bmajor
- C♯5power
- C♯sus4sus4
- C♯major
- D♯mminor