F Phrygian Mode

Notes in the F Phrygian Mode

Degree Name Note Frequency (A=440)
1 Tonic F 349.228 Hz
♭2 Phrygian 2nd Gb 369.994 Hz
♭3 Minor Mediant Ab 415.305 Hz
4 Subdominant Bb 466.164 Hz
5 Dominant C 261.626 Hz
♭6 Minor Submediant Db 277.183 Hz
♭7 Subtonic Eb 311.127 Hz

Interval Pattern

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

Chords Built on Scale Degrees

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

Key Signature

1 — The F key signature uses Bb.

F Phrygian Mode in Practice

The F Phrygian Mode uses the key signature of 1 flat (Bb). 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.

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
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
C 261.626 Hz 260.740 Hz 261.626 Hz
Db 277.183 Hz 278.437 Hz 279.067 Hz
Eb 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.