Guitar Scale Logic
F Phrygian Guitar Scale in Drop C
Phrygian scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Drop C.
Scale Tablature
Position 1
D|------------------1--3--4--| A|---------1--3--4-----------| F|0--1--3--------------------| C|---------------------------| G|---------------------------| C|---------------------------|
0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 9 notes
Theory & Context
Why This Shape Works
The F Phrygian scale uses F, G♭, A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭ 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 F 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. 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.
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.
- F
- G♭
- A♭
- B♭
- C
- D♭
- E♭
Suggested Chords
Works Well With This Scale
These chords contain notes from the selected scale.
- Fmminor
- F5power
- Fsus4sus4
- Fm7minor 7
- G♭5power
- G♭major
- A♭5power
- A♭sus4sus4
- A♭major
- B♭mminor