A dark minor scale with a flat 2nd — instantly Spanish/flamenco or aggressive metal. The ♭2 is the whole vibe.
🎸 See this scale on the fretboard & hear it — free interactive finder →| Scale | 1 | ♭2 | ♭3 | 4 | 5 | ♭6 | ♭7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Phrygian | A | A# | C | D | E | F | G |
| E Phrygian | E | F | G | A | B | C | D |
| C Phrygian | C | C# | D# | F | G | G# | A# |
| G Phrygian | G | G# | A# | C | D | D# | F |
| D Phrygian | D | D# | F | G | A | A# | C |
The ♭2 gives Phrygian its exotic, menacing edge. Metal players love it (and "Phrygian dominant" for that Middle-Eastern sound).
Flamenco, and metal from Metallica (Wherever I May Roam) to modern djent — the go-to "dark and exotic" scale.
🎛️ Pick any key & play it on the interactive fretboard →More: all scales · chords · tunings · tuner