B♭ Phrygian Scale

The B♭ Phrygian scale is the third mode of the G♭ major scale, giving it a distinctive dark, exotic, and tense sound commonly used in flamenco, metal, jazz, and cinematic music.

This page covers everything you need to know about the B♭ Phrygian scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.

B♭ Phrygian Scale Notes

The B♭ Phrygian mode contains the following notes:

B♭ – C♭ – D♭ – E♭ – F – G♭ – A♭

These notes come directly from the G♭ major parent scale, starting on its 3rd degree (B♭).

B♭ Phrygian Piano Diagram

This diagram highlights which keys belong to the B♭ Phrygian scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and characteristic tones such as the flat 2 (C♭), which gives this scale its signature sound.

B♭ Phrygian Scale Formula and Intervals

The interval formula for the Phrygian mode is:

Half – Whole – Whole – Whole – Half – Whole – Whole

Applied to B♭, this gives us:

B♭ → C♭
C♭ → D♭
D♭ → E♭
E♭ → F
F → G♭
G♭ → A♭
A♭ → B♭

Thus, B♭ Phrygian is built with the following scale degrees:

Root (B♭)
Minor 2nd (C♭)
Minor 3rd (D♭)
Perfect 4th (E♭)
Perfect 5th (F)
Minor 6th (G♭)
Minor 7th (A♭)

This structure gives the Phrygian mode its characteristic minor quality combined with a distinctive lowered 2nd.

Chords in the Key of B♭ Phrygian

When stacking thirds on each scale degree of the B♭ Phrygian scale, the following diatonic chords emerge:

B♭ minor (i)
C♭ major (II)
D♭ major (III)
E♭ minor (iv)
F diminished (v°)
G♭ major (VI)
A♭ minor (vii)

Related Scales and Modes

If you enjoy the sound of B♭ Phrygian, you may also like:

B♭ Phrygian Dominant (Phrygian with a major 3rd)
B♭ Natural Minor (Aeolian)
B♭ Locrian
G♭ Major (parent scale)

B♭ Phrygian Scale FAQs

How is B♭ Phrygian different from B♭ natural minor?

B♭ Phrygian has a minor 2nd (C♭) while B♭ natural minor has a major 2nd (C). These two scales are otherwise identical.

What is the parent scale of B♭ Phrygian?

G♭ major. B♭ Phrygian uses the same notes as G♭ major, but starts on its third degree (B♭).

Summary: B♭ Phrygian Scale

Notes: B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭
Mode: 3rd mode of G♭ major
Formula: H, W, W, W, H, W, W