G# Phrygian
A minor diatonic mode with a minor 2nd above the tonic; a compact, tense sound.
Octaves
Musical context
How the mode relates to the scale, chord, key and progression.
Theory
General info
- Name
- G# Phrygian
- Family
- Diatonic modes
- Note count
- 7
- Step formula
- H – W – W – W – H – W – W
Notes & degrees
1G#root
b2Aminor 2nd
b3Bminor 3rd
4C#perfect 4th
5D#perfect 5th
b6Eminor 6th
b7F#minor 7th
Characteristic degrees
IIAlowered 2nd degree
Construction
- Overview
- A minor diatonic mode with a minor 2nd above the tonic; a compact, tense sound.
- Application in music
- The bII – i move emphasises the lowered 2nd; the mode appears in flamenco and riff-based modal music.
- Interval formula
- G#HAWBWC#WD#HEWF#
- Reference mode
- G# Aeolian
G# Aeolian
IG#
IIA#
IIIB
IVC#
VD#
VIE
VIIF#
G# Phrygian
IG#
IIA
IIIB
IVC#
VD#
VIE
VIIF#
How the mode is built
- Position in the system
- Degree 3 of the parent major scale
- Parent scale
- E majorPhrygian mode — degree 3 of the scale
- Parallel major
- G# majormajor from the same tonic
Sibling modes
Chords by degree
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IG#point of resttonic
IIIBdefines modal qualitythird
VD#supports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
IIIBB
IVC#C#
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IG#G#
IIAA
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This mode on guitar 🎸
See how G# Phrygian looks on guitar.
Circle of fifths
The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.
Connections
Practice
Keyboard Trainer
Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.