F Phrygian Mode
Notes in the F Phrygian Mode
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | F | 349.228 Hz |
| ♭2 | Phrygian 2nd | G♭ | 369.994 Hz |
| ♭3 | Minor Mediant | A♭ | 415.305 Hz |
| 4 | Subdominant | B♭ | 466.164 Hz |
| 5 | Dominant | C | 261.626 Hz |
| ♭6 | Minor Submediant | D♭ | 277.183 Hz |
| ♭7 | Subtonic | E♭ | 311.127 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Half Step (H) | 1 | F | G♭ |
| 2 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | G♭ | A♭ |
| 3 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | A♭ | B♭ |
| 4 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | B♭ | C |
| 5 | Half Step (H) | 1 | C | D♭ |
| 6 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | D♭ | E♭ |
| 7 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | E♭ | F |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | F minor | minor |
| ♭2 | G♭ | G♭ | major |
| ♭3 | A♭ | A♭ | major |
| 4 | B♭ | B♭ minor | minor |
| 5 | C | C diminished | diminished |
| ♭6 | D♭ | D♭ | major |
| ♭7 | E♭ | E♭ minor | minor |
Key Signature
1 ♭ — The F key signature uses B♭.
F Phrygian Mode in Practice
The F Phrygian Mode uses the key signature of 1 flat (B♭). F major has one flat (Bb) and a warm, pastoral quality. It is one of the most natural keys for wind instruments and is frequently used in orchestral and choral music. On guitar, F 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. When played starting on F, the 7 notes are F, G♭, A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭. In this key the signature has 1 flat (B♭). F is the home key of the French horn (horn in F) and a natural key for many brass and woodwind instruments. Jazz musicians encounter F constantly because it is the concert-pitch key when Bb instruments read in G, making it essential for jam sessions and lead sheet reading.
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
| G♭ | 369.994 Hz | 371.251 Hz | 367.911 Hz |
| A♭ | 415.305 Hz | 417.657 Hz | 418.601 Hz |
| B♭ | 466.164 Hz | 463.538 Hz | 470.926 Hz |
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| D♭ | 277.183 Hz | 278.437 Hz | 279.067 Hz |
| E♭ | 311.127 Hz | 309.026 Hz | 313.951 Hz |
Related Scales
Transposing Instruments: F Phrygian Mode
F 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 F concert pitch. E♭ instruments (alto sax, baritone sax) reading in F sound a major sixth lower.