Tuning-specific scale diagram

C Phrygian Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning

C Phrygian Scale in 8-String Drop E Tuning shows the same c phrygian scale pitch classes across 8 strings tuned E B E A D G B E. The seventh and eighth strings extend the pattern into the lower register for wider-range riffs and chord voicings.

Scale notes: C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb
Formula: 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Semitones: 0 1 3 5 7 8 10
Parent scale: Ab major
Tuning: E B E A D G B E
Strings: 8
Open pitch range: E1 to E4
24-fret range: E1 to E6

Open strings and root positions

1 of the 8 open strings belong to C Phrygian Scale: string 3 G (5). None of those open-string tones is the C root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 3G5

First root on each string

String 8Fret 8

String 7Fret 1

String 6Fret 8

String 5Fret 3

String 4Fret 10

String 3Fret 5

String 2Fret 1

String 1Fret 8

Low-string pattern

On the lowest E string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11, with the C root at fret 8. On the highest E string, the first C is at fret 8.

Fret 1F4

Fret 3G5

Fret 4Abb6

Fret 6Bbb7

Fret 8C1

Fret 9Dbb2

Fret 11Ebb3

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play C Phrygian Scale on the low E string at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets G on open string 3 ring, then connect it to the nearest C root and two other scale tones.
Connect the C root positions on strings 8 through 1 at frets 8, 1, 8, 3, 10, 5, 1, and 8, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.