Guitar Scale Logic
G# Phrygian Guitar Scale in Open C
Phrygian scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Open C.
Scale Tablature
Position 1
E|------------------------------------2--4--| C|---------------------------1--3--4--------| G|------------------1--2--4-----------------| C|---------1--3--4--------------------------| G|1--2--4-----------------------------------| C|------------------------------------------|
0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 14 notes
Theory & Context
Why This Shape Works
The G# Phrygian scale uses G♯, A, B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯ and the formula 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7. In Open C tuning, the open strings run E C G C G C from highest to lowest, so use this map rather than a Standard-tuning shape. Use the map to locate each G# 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. Open C is C-G-C-G-C-E from low to high. Its open strings form a C major chord, with C on three strings.
Hit the b2 against the root to make the Phrygian tension obvious. In Open C, use the three open C strings to check the roots when practising in C.
- G♯
- A
- B
- C♯
- D♯
- E
- F♯
Suggested Chords
Works Well With This Scale
These chords contain notes from the selected scale.
- G♯mminor
- G♯5power
- G♯sus4sus4
- G♯m7minor 7
- A5power
- Amajor
- B5power
- Bsus4sus4
- Bmajor
- C♯mminor