G SHARP PHRYGIAN MODE

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

G# – A – B – C# – D# – E – 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# – Fx

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

G# – A – B – C# – D# – E – F#

Derivative Approach:

E is the 3rd note of the E major scale:

E – F# – G# – A – B – C# – D#

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

G# – A – B – C# – D# – E – 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 4th position (lowest fret is 4)

Now let’s look at G# phrygian in the 5th position (lowest fret is 5)

Now let’s look at G# phrygian in the 8th position (lowest fret is 8)

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

Finally, let’s look at G# phrygian in the 12th position (lowest fret is 12)

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.