Bb Phrygian Mode
Notes in the Bb Phrygian Mode
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | Bb | 466.164 Hz |
| ♭2 | Phrygian 2nd | B | 493.883 Hz |
| ♭3 | Minor Mediant | Db | 277.183 Hz |
| 4 | Subdominant | Eb | 311.127 Hz |
| 5 | Dominant | F | 349.228 Hz |
| ♭6 | Minor Submediant | Gb | 369.994 Hz |
| ♭7 | Subtonic | Ab | 415.305 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Half Step (H) | 1 | Bb | B |
| 2 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | B | Db |
| 3 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Db | Eb |
| 4 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Eb | F |
| 5 | Half Step (H) | 1 | F | Gb |
| 6 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Gb | Ab |
| 7 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Ab | Bb |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bb | Bb minor | minor |
| ♭2 | B | B | major |
| ♭3 | Db | Db | major |
| 4 | Eb | Eb minor | minor |
| 5 | F | F diminished | diminished |
| ♭6 | Gb | Gb | major |
| ♭7 | Ab | Ab minor | minor |
Key Signature
2 ♭ — The Bb key signature uses Bb, Eb.
Bb Phrygian Mode in Practice
The Bb Phrygian Mode uses the key signature of 2 flats (Bb, Eb). Bb major has two flats (Bb, Eb) and is extremely common in jazz and wind ensemble music. It is the home key for Bb instruments such as the trumpet and tenor saxophone. On guitar, Bb positions offer comfortable transposing instrument keys for this scale.
The Phrygian mode has a dark, exotic quality due to its flat 2nd degree. It is characteristic of Spanish flamenco music and heavy metal, creating an intense, mysterious atmosphere.
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bb | 466.164 Hz | 463.538 Hz | 470.926 Hz |
| B | 493.883 Hz | 495.000 Hz | 490.548 Hz |
| Db | 277.183 Hz | 278.437 Hz | 279.067 Hz |
| Eb | 311.127 Hz | 309.026 Hz | 313.951 Hz |
| F | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
| Gb | 369.994 Hz | 371.251 Hz | 367.911 Hz |
| Ab | 415.305 Hz | 417.657 Hz | 418.601 Hz |
Related Scales
Transposing Instruments: Bb Phrygian Mode
Bb is a natural key for B♭ instruments (trumpet, clarinet, tenor sax), which sound a major second lower than written. B♭ instruments reading in C produce Bb concert pitch. E♭ instruments (alto sax, baritone sax) reading in Bb sound a major sixth lower.