F Phrygian Scale
The F Phrygian scale contains F – Gb – Ab – Bb – C – Db – Eb. It uses 5 flats: Bb, Eb, Ab, Db and Gb.
F Phrygian scale chart
Sharps and flats
F Phrygian has 5 flats: Bb, Eb, Ab, Db and Gb. Its parent major scale is Db major, which uses the same notes. See the chords in the key of C# major.
Scale degrees
| Degree | Note | Semitones from F |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | 0 |
| b2 | Gb | 1 |
| b3 | Ab | 3 |
| 4 | Bb | 5 |
| 5 | C | 7 |
| b6 | Db | 8 |
| b7 | Eb | 10 |
Step pattern
The Phrygian scale is built from the pattern H – W – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step). Apply that pattern from any starting note and you get the same mode in a different key.
Chords in F Phrygian
Building a triad on each degree of the scale gives you the chords that belong to it. These are the chords to reach for when writing in F Phrygian.
| Degree | Numeral | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | i | Fm | F Ab C |
| 2 | II | Gb | Gb Bb Db |
| 3 | III | Ab | Ab C Eb |
| 4 | iv | Bbm | Bb Db F |
| 5 | v° | Cdim | C Eb Gb |
| 6 | VI | Db | Db F Ab |
| 7 | vii | Ebm | Eb Gb Bb |
Other modes on F
More scales on F
Phrygian scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the F Phrygian scale?
The F Phrygian scale contains F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, then returns to F an octave higher.
How many flats are in F Phrygian?
F Phrygian has 5 flats: Bb, Eb, Ab, Db and Gb.
What is the step pattern of the Phrygian scale?
The Phrygian scale follows the whole/half step pattern H – W – W – W – H – W – W, where W is a whole step (two semitones) and H is a half step (one semitone).
Which chords work with the F Phrygian scale?
The diatonic chords are Fm, Gb, Ab, Bbm, Cdim, Db, Ebm. Each is built only from notes of the F Phrygian scale, so they all belong to the same tonality — though the diminished chord carries a tritone and normally wants to resolve.