Guitar Scale Logic
D Phrygian Guitar Scale in Drop D
Phrygian scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Drop D.
Scale Tablature
Position 1
E|------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------1--3--| G|---------------------------0--2--3--------| D|------------------0--1--3-----------------| A|---------0--1--3--------------------------| D|0--1--3-----------------------------------|
0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 14 notes
Theory & Context
Why This Shape Works
The D Phrygian scale uses D, E♭, F, G, A, B♭, C and the formula 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7. In Drop D tuning, the open strings run E B G D A D from highest to lowest, so use this map rather than a Standard-tuning shape. Use the map to locate each D 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 D lowers the sixth string from E to D. The other five strings stay in Standard tuning, so only the low-string notes move.
Hit the b2 against the root to make the Phrygian tension obvious. In Drop D, check the sixth-string frets before reusing a Standard-tuning pattern.
- D
- E♭
- F
- G
- A
- B♭
- C
Suggested Chords
Works Well With This Scale
These chords contain notes from the selected scale.
- Dmminor
- D5power
- Dsus4sus4
- Dm7minor 7
- E♭5power
- E♭major
- F5power
- Fsus4sus4
- Fmajor
- Gmminor