A SHARP PHRYGIAN MODE

‘A sharp phrygian’ is the 3rd mode of the F sharp major scale. The notes in A Phrygian are:

A# – B – C# – D# – E# – F# – G#

If you have read the post on understanding the phrygian mode, you will know that the phrygian mode contains a ‘flat 2′, a ‘flat 3′, a ‘flat 6′ and a ‘flat 7′ (parallel approach). You will also know that it is the 3rd mode of a major scale (derivative approach). Let’s briefly look at how to construct A# Phrygian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.

Parallel Approach:

A# Major has the following notes:

A# – B# – Cx – D# – E# – Fx – Gx

If we ‘flatten’ the 2nd note (B#), the 3rd note (Cx), the 6th note (Fx) and the 7th note (Gx) we get the following:

A# – B – C# – D# – E# – F# – G#

Derivative Approach:

A is the 3rd note of the F sharp major scale:

F# – G# – A#- B – C# – D# – E#

If we play the F# major scale and start on the 3rd note we get the following:

A# – B – C# – D# – E# – F# – G#

Let’s look at the A# phrygian mode in the different positions on the guitar fretboard:

Positions Along the Fretboard:

Firstly, let’s look at the open position:

Now let’s look at A# phrygian in the 1st position (lowest fret is 1)

Now let’s look at A# phrygian in the 2nd position (lowest fret is 2)

Now let’s look at A# phrygian in the 6th position (lowest fret is 6)

Now let’s look at A# phrygian in the 7th position (lowest fret is 7)

Finally, let’s look at A# phrygian in the 10th position (lowest fret is 10)

That covers the 5 basic positions and the open position of A# phrygian along the guitar fretboard.

For an in depth explanation of the phrygian mode, check out phrygian mode explained.