Guitar Scale Logic

Interactive Guitar Scale Finder

Guitar Scale Logic

E Phrygian Guitar Scale in Drop D

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

Formula 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Tuning E B G D A D
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
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12
13
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15
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17
18
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22
E E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
B B
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
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
D D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
Root Note Scale Note

Scale Tablature

Position 1

E|---------------------------------------0--|
B|---------------------------------1--3-----|
G|------------------------0--2--4-----------|
D|---------------0--2--3--------------------|
A|------0--2--3-----------------------------|
D|2--3--------------------------------------|

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 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 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 D lowers the sixth string from E to D. The other five strings stay in Standard tuning, so only the low-string notes move.

Practice Tip

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.

  • 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