Guitar Scale Logic

Interactive Guitar Scale Finder

Guitar Scale Logic

E Phrygian Guitar Scale in Open D

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

Formula 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Tuning D A F# 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
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#
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
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

D|------------------------------------0--2--|
A|------------------------------2--3--------|
F#|------------------------1--3--------------|
D|---------------0--2--3--------------------|
A|------0--2--3-----------------------------|
D|2--3--------------------------------------|

Pattern shows scale notes in 0-4 frets for position 1.

Theory & Context

Why This Shape Works

E Phrygian in Open D tuning puts the notes E, F, G, A, B, C, D under your fingers in a layout that feels dark, compressed and exotic. Open D spreads a full D major sonority across the strings, giving scale shapes a broad and ringing quality that suits fingerstyle, slide and melodic accompaniment. On this page you can switch between all visible notes or five smaller positions, study a pre-rendered tab pattern for each zone and match the sound against chords that stay inside the scale. Because the interval formula is 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7, every diagram here is generated from exact semitone math instead of guessed text. Start with Position 1 to lock in the tonic, then connect Positions 2 and 3 so you can move into riffs, lead fills and improvised phrases without losing the key center.

Overview

Phrygian sounds dark, compressed and exotic and is especially useful for metal riffs, Spanish-flavoured motifs and tense pedal point ideas. Open D feels wide, resonant and strong for open voicings.

Pro Tip

Hit the b2 against the root to make the Phrygian tension obvious. In Open D, it helps connected scale phrases bloom into chord fragments.

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

Suggested Chords

Works Well With This Scale

Chord options generated from the same note pool.

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

Related Pages

Related Scales