Tuning-specific scale diagram

C Phrygian Scale in B Standard Tuning

C Phrygian Scale in B Standard Tuning shows the same c phrygian scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned B E A D F# B. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

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
B E A D F# B
Strings
6
Open pitch range
B1 to B3
24-fret range
B1 to B5

Open strings and root positions

None of the 6 open strings belongs to C Phrygian Scale. Every scale tone must therefore be fretted, beginning with the first available tone on the low B string.

First root on each string

String 6Fret 1
String 5Fret 8
String 4Fret 3
String 3Fret 10
String 2Fret 6
String 1Fret 1

Low-string pattern

On the lowest B string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11, with the C root at fret 1. On the highest B string, the first C is at fret 1.

Fret 1C1
Fret 2Dbb2
Fret 4Ebb3
Fret 6F4
Fret 8G5
Fret 9Abb6
Fret 11Bbb7

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play C Phrygian Scale on the low B string at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Play the scale without using an open string, then stop on the nearest C root each time the line changes strings.
  3. Connect the C root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 1, 8, 3, 10, 6, and 1, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

C Phrygian Scale in B Standard Tuning fretboard diagram
C Phrygian Scale in B Standard Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing B E A D F# B.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with C Phrygian Scale and b standard tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings