Guitar Scale Logic

Interactive Guitar Scale Finder

Guitar Scale Logic

F 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
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
E
F
G♭
A♭
B♭
C
D♭
E♭
F
G♭
A♭
B♭
C
D♭
B
C
D♭
E♭
F
G♭
A♭
B♭
C
D♭
E♭
F
G♭
A♭
G
A♭
B♭
C
D♭
E♭
F
G♭
A♭
B♭
C
D♭
E♭
F
D
E♭
F
G♭
A♭
B♭
C
D♭
E♭
F
G♭
A♭
B♭
C
A
B♭
C
D♭
E♭
F
G♭
A♭
B♭
C
D♭
E♭
F
G♭
D
E♭
F
G♭
A♭
B♭
C
D♭
E♭
F
G♭
A♭
B♭
C
Root Note Scale Note

Scale Tablature

Position 1

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

0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 14 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 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 F 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.

  • 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