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The Phrygian b4 Mode - Guitar Shapes and Theory

The Phrygian b4 scale aka Phrygian b11, Indian scale or Phrygian diminished 11 is the third mode of the harmonic major scale.

Formula Chart

The Phrygian b4 mode is made up of a root (1), minor second (b2), minor third (b3), flat fourth (b4), perfect fifth (5), minor sixth (b6) and minor seventh (b7).

This is one of the most used modes of the harmonic major scale, particularly over dominant chords when you want to add a bit of tension. Indeed, the Phrygian b4 mode contains three altered tones that are: b9, #9 and b13.

You will see in the chart below that there are similarities with the altered scale, fifth mode of the melodic minor scale.

E Phrygian b4 mode E F G Ab B C D
Formula 1 b2 (b9) b3 (#9) b4  5 b6 (b13) b7
Intervals H W H H+W H W W

One-Octave Shapes

Now you need to learn these four basic Phrygian b4 guitar shapes. Try to transpose them in all twelve keys and associate each one with its proper chord. (7b9, 7b13, 7#9).

Phrygian b4 guitar charts 1

Two-Octave Shapes

These two diagrams show how to play the Phrygian b4 mode within two octaves. Don't hesitate to experiment your own positions.

Phrygian b4 guitar diagrams

3 Notes Per Strings

With the following diagrams you'll learn how to play the Phrygian b4 mode all over the guitar neck using the 3NPS system.

Phrygian b4 shapes for guitar

Comparison With Phrygian Mode

Here is a quick comparison with the Phrygian scale, third mode of the major scale. You see it is built with a perfect fourth (4) instead of a diminished fourth (b4).

E Phrygian b4 mode E F G Ab B C D
Formula 1 b2 (b9) b3 (#9) b4 5 b6 (b13) b7
E Phrygian mode E F G A B C D
Formula 1 b2 (b9) b3 4 (11) 5 b6 (b13) b7
Phrygian b4 versus phrygian mode

Comparison With Altered Scale

As shown in the chart below, the altered scale (seventh mode of the melodic minor scale) has a diminished fifth instead of a perfect fifth.

E altered scale E F G Ab Bb C D
Formula 1 (b2) b9 (b3) #9 b4 (3) b5 (#11) b6 (b13) b7
E Phrygian b4 mode E F G Ab B C D
Formula 1 b2 (b9)  b3 (#9) b4 5 b6 (b13) b7
Phrygian b4 versus altered scale

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Last edited: 2024-04-19

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