F Phrygian Scale
The F Phrygian scale is the third mode of the D♭ 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 F Phrygian scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.
F Phrygian Scale Notes
The F Phrygian mode contains the following notes:
F – G♭ – A♭ – B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭These notes come directly from the D♭ major parent scale, starting on its 3rd degree (F).
F Phrygian Piano Diagram
This diagram highlights which keys belong to the F Phrygian scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and characteristic tones such as the flat 2 (G♭), which gives this scale its signature sound.
F Phrygian Scale Formula and Intervals
The interval formula for the Phrygian mode is:
Half – Whole – Whole – Whole – Half – Whole – WholeApplied to F, this gives us:
- F → G♭
- G♭ → A♭
- A♭ → B♭
- B♭ → C
- C → D♭
- D♭ → E♭
- E♭ → F
Thus, F Phrygian is built with the following scale degrees:
- Root (F)
- Minor 2nd (G♭)
- Minor 3rd (A♭)
- Perfect 4th (B♭)
- Perfect 5th (C)
- Minor 6th (D♭)
- Minor 7th (E♭)
This structure gives the Phrygian mode its characteristic minor quality combined with a distinctive lowered 2nd.
Chords in the Key of F Phrygian
When stacking thirds on each scale degree of the F Phrygian scale, the following diatonic chords emerge:
- F minor (i)
- G♭ major (II)
- A♭ major (III)
- B♭ minor (iv)
- C diminished (v°)
- D♭ major (VI)
- E♭ minor (vii)
Related Scales and Modes
If you enjoy the sound of F Phrygian, you may also like:
- F Phrygian Dominant (Phrygian with a major 3rd)
- F Natural Minor (Aeolian)
- F Locrian
- D♭ Major (parent scale)
F Phrygian Scale FAQs
How is F Phrygian different from F natural minor?
F Phrygian has a minor 2nd (G♭) while F natural minor has a major 2nd (G). These two scales are otherwise identical.
What is the parent scale of F Phrygian?
D♭ major. F Phrygian uses the same notes as D♭ major, but starts on its third degree (F).
Summary: F Phrygian Scale
- Notes: F, G♭, A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭
- Mode: 3rd mode of D♭ major
- Formula: H, W, W, W, H, W, W