G PHRYGIAN MODE

‘G phrygian’ is the 3rd mode of the E flat major scale. The notes in G Phrygian are:

G – Ab – Bb – C – D – Eb – F

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 G Phrygian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.

Parallel Approach:

G Major has the following notes:

G – A – B – C – D – E – F#

If we ‘flatten’ the 2nd note (A), the 3rd note (B), the 6th note (E) and the 7th note (F#) we get the following:

G – Ab – Bb – C – D – Eb – F

Derivative Approach:

G is the 3rd note of the Eb major scale:

Eb – F – G – Ab – Bb – C – D

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

G – Ab – Bb – C – D – Eb – F

Let’s look at the G 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 G phrygian in the 3rd position (lowest fret is 3)

Now let’s look at G phrygian in the 4th position (lowest fret is 4)

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

Now let’s look at G phrygian in the 10th position (lowest fret is 10)

Finally, let’s look at G phrygian in the 11th position (lowest fret is 11)

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

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