Guitar Scale Logic

Interactive Guitar Scale Finder

Guitar Scale Logic

E Phrygian Guitar Scale in Drop C

Phrygian scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Drop C.

Formula 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Tuning D A F C G C
Scale Notes 7 notes

Interactive fretboard

Scale Map

Root notes are highlighted in amber. Use the buttons to isolate each five-fret position.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
D D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
A A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
F F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
C C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
G G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
C C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
Root Note Scale Note

Scale Tablature

Position 1

D|------------------------------------0--2--|
A|------------------------------2--3--------|
F|---------------------0--2--4--------------|
C|------------0--2--4-----------------------|
G|---0--2--4--------------------------------|
C|4-----------------------------------------|

0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 14 notes

Theory & Context

Why This Shape Works

The E Phrygian scale uses E, F, G, A, B, C, D 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 E root, then select a five-fret position to see its tablature. The chord suggestions use notes from this scale.

Overview

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.

Practice Tip

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.

  • E
  • F
  • G
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D

Suggested Chords

Works Well With This Scale

These chords contain notes from the selected scale.

  • Emminor
  • E5power
  • Esus4sus4
  • Em7minor 7
  • F5power
  • Fmajor
  • G5power
  • Gsus4sus4
  • Gmajor
  • Amminor

Related Pages

Related Scales