F♯ Phrygian Mode

Notes in the F♯ Phrygian Mode

Degree Name Note Frequency (A=440)
1 Tonic F♯ 369.994 Hz
♭2 Phrygian 2nd G 391.995 Hz
♭3 Minor Mediant A 440.000 Hz
4 Subdominant B 493.883 Hz
5 Dominant C♯ 277.183 Hz
♭6 Minor Submediant D 293.665 Hz
♭7 Subtonic E 329.628 Hz

Interval Pattern

Formula: H-W-W-W-H-W-W
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

6 — The F♯ key signature uses F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯.

F♯ Phrygian Mode in Practice

The F♯ Phrygian Mode uses the key signature of 6 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯). F# major has six sharps and is enharmonically equivalent to Gb major. It is used when a sharp key is preferred over the flat alternative in notation. On guitar, F♯ positions offer open-string resonance for fingering positions 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 6 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯). F# major uses all five black keys plus E# and B#, making it one of the most enharmonically complex keys on keyboard instruments. In modern pop and electronic music, F# appears frequently because digital instruments have no ergonomic preference, and producers choose it for its distinctive brightness.

Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments

Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.

Note Equal Temp. Pythagorean Just Intonation
F♯ 369.994 Hz 371.251 Hz 367.911 Hz
G 391.995 Hz 391.111 Hz 392.438 Hz
A 440.000 Hz 440.000 Hz 436.043 Hz
B 493.883 Hz 495.000 Hz 490.548 Hz
C♯ 277.183 Hz 278.437 Hz 279.067 Hz
D 293.665 Hz 293.332 Hz 294.329 Hz
E 329.628 Hz 330.001 Hz 327.032 Hz

Related Scales

Guitar: F♯ Phrygian Mode Positions

The F♯ key offers 6 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like F♯ are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.