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The Phrygian Mode

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In this course is a deep dive into the third mode of the major scale, the Phrygian mode. This is another minor mode, suitable for use with minor seventh chords, particularly if a 'flattened ninth' sound is desirable.

These lessons will show you how to play the E Phrygian mode all over the fingerboard using the 'content over patterns' system, after which you will have the opportunity to work through a series of bass grooves that put the mode to use. The first few exercises will be in the key of C (and will therefore use the E Phrygian mode), then there will be some lines which use the mode in other keys. By the end of this course you should be very familiar with the sound of the Phrygian mode and will be well-placed to begin using it in your own lines and compositions.

As you work through this material, you might find the following courses useful (all included in the monthly subscription cost):

Don’t forget to hit the Download Resources button above to get the PDF worksheet and audio files for this piece (available to subscribers only).

This course is 52 MINUTES long and contains the following videos, each of which can be selected from the video player above:

1. Introduction to the Phrygian Mode

This video covers the basic theory behind the Phrygian mode. It also discusses the unique sound of the mode and the ways in which it is commonly used.

2. Playing the Phrygian Mode

This lesson will get you playing the E Phrygian mode all over the fingerboard. Here, the focus will be on the notes themselves, not on any restrictive fretboard patterns.

3. Exercise #1

This exercise is a rock riff that uses the E Phrygian mode. This line really highlights the modes distinguishing characteristic – the flattened second.

4. Exercise #2

This line focuses on the chromatic movement between the root note and the flattened second degree of the mode. Note the use of an ‘open string jump’ in the fourth bar.

5. Exercise #3

This is a fingerstyle funk groove that uses the E Phrygian mode. Try to keep the notes short and punchy here and be sure that the rests are played as rests.

6. Phrygian Exercise #4

This exercise is another slow tempo funk groove that uses the E Phrygian mode. This is a busy exercise, but it really gets across the sound of the mode.

7. Exercise #5

This is a funk groove that uses the E Phrygian mode. Again, you’ll hear that the mode’s distinguishing characteristic (the flattened second) is referenced frequently.

8. Exercise #6

This exercise is a rock riff/groove that uses the G Phrygian mode (G-Ab-Bb-C-D-Eb-F-G), from the key of Eb. This is a simple riff with a finger-twisting fill in the fourth bar.

9. Exercise #7

This line uses the D Phrygian mode (D-Eb-F-G-A-Bb-C-D), from the home key of Bb major. The open D-string creates a chordal effect with the other notes here.

10. Exercise #8

This line uses the G# Phrygian mode (G#-A-B-C#-D#-E-F#-G#), from the home key of E major. The flattened ninth (A) reinforces the tonality in the second and fourth bars.