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 |---------------------------------------1--| A |---------------------------------2--4-----| F#|---------------------------2--4-----------| D |------------------1--2--4-----------------| A |---------1--2--4--------------------------| D |1--2--4-----------------------------------|
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.
- D♯mminor
- D♯5power
- D♯sus4sus4
- D♯m7minor 7
- E5power
- Emajor
- F♯5power
- F♯sus4sus4
- F♯major
- G♯mminor