Eb Phrygian Mode

Notes in the Eb Phrygian Mode

Degree Name Note Frequency (A=440)
1 Tonic Eb 311.127 Hz
♭2 Phrygian 2nd E 329.628 Hz
♭3 Minor Mediant Gb 369.994 Hz
4 Subdominant Ab 415.305 Hz
5 Dominant Bb 466.164 Hz
♭6 Minor Submediant B 493.883 Hz
♭7 Subtonic Db 277.183 Hz

Interval Pattern

Formula: H-W-W-W-H-W-W
Step Interval Semitones From Note To Note
1 Half Step (H) 1 Eb E
2 Whole Step (W) 2 E Gb
3 Whole Step (W) 2 Gb Ab
4 Whole Step (W) 2 Ab Bb
5 Half Step (H) 1 Bb B
6 Whole Step (W) 2 B Db
7 Whole Step (W) 2 Db Eb

Chords Built on Scale Degrees

Degree Note Chord Quality
1 Eb Eb minor minor
♭2 E E major
♭3 Gb Gb major
4 Ab Ab minor minor
5 Bb Bb diminished diminished
♭6 B B major
♭7 Db Db minor minor

Key Signature

3 — The Eb key signature uses Bb, Eb, Ab.

Eb Phrygian Mode in Practice

The Eb Phrygian Mode uses the key signature of 3 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab). Eb major has three flats and a rich, full sound well suited to brass instruments. It is widely used in jazz, classical music, and is the home key for Eb instruments. On guitar, Eb 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
Eb 311.127 Hz 309.026 Hz 313.951 Hz
E 329.628 Hz 330.001 Hz 327.032 Hz
Gb 369.994 Hz 371.251 Hz 367.911 Hz
Ab 415.305 Hz 417.657 Hz 418.601 Hz
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

Related Scales

Transposing Instruments: Eb Phrygian Mode

Eb 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 Eb concert pitch. E♭ instruments (alto sax, baritone sax) reading in Eb sound a major sixth lower.