Tuning-specific scale diagram

C Phrygian Scale in Open D Tuning

C Phrygian Scale in Open D Tuning shows the same c phrygian scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned D A D F# A D. 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: D A D F# A D
Strings: 6
Open pitch range: D2 to D4
24-fret range: D2 to D6

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 D string.

First root on each string

String 6Fret 10

String 5Fret 3

String 4Fret 10

String 3Fret 6

String 2Fret 3

String 1Fret 10

Low-string pattern

On the lowest D string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 11, with the C root at fret 10. On the highest D string, the first C is at fret 10.

Fret 1Ebb3

Fret 3F4

Fret 5G5

Fret 6Abb6

Fret 8Bbb7

Fret 10C1

Fret 11Dbb2

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play C Phrygian Scale on the low D string at frets 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Play the scale without using an open string, then stop on the nearest C root each time the line changes strings.
Connect the C root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 10, 3, 10, 6, 3, and 10, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.