Guitar Scale Logic
D Phrygian Guitar Scale in Open D
Phrygian scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Open D.
Scale Tablature
Position 1
D |---------------------------------------0--| A |------------------------------------3-----| F#|---------------------------1--3--4--------| 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 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 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. 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.
- 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