Phrygian Mode

Phrygian Mode

Formula       H       W        W       W         H          W   W

E Phrygian  E   F       G        A          B          C          D        E

Interval    R         m2*     m3     P4        P5        m6*       m7     P8

Characteristic Pitches: Minor 2nd, Minor 6th

Characteristic Progressions: Im-bII or Im-bVIIm

The mode built off of the third degree is an eery, minor mode.  This effect is produced by both the minor 2nd and minor 6th, each a dissonant half-step above a chord tone.  This dissonance makes the Phrygian mode a favorite choice of heavy metal guitarists.

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