fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON VIOLA

C♭ Phrygian

Minor with a lowered 2nd — Spanish flamenco, dark, modal-jazz colour.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
Choose a root
Meter:Octave per barCrotchets in 4/4Quavers in 4/4Triplets in 4/4
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 3 title C♭ Phrygian
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 2 3 4 title C♭ Phrygian
Verovio
Tempo120 bpm

Audio source: tonejs-instruments by Nick Brosowsky (MIT)

FingeringFollows the scale as it plays — written pitch, matches the staff
C♭G stringADGCoctave nodeoctave nodeoctave nodeoctave nodeB𝄫C♭D𝄫E𝄫F♭G♭A𝄫B𝄫C♭D𝄫E𝄫F♭G♭A𝄫B𝄫C♭D𝄫E𝄫F♭G♭A𝄫B𝄫C♭D𝄫E𝄫F♭G♭A𝄫B𝄫C♭D𝄫E𝄫F♭G♭A𝄫B𝄫C♭D𝄫E𝄫F♭
Related scales
Diatonic chord harmonisation
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
Compare with
Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the C♭ Phrygian scale?

The C♭ Phrygian scale uses the notes C♭, D𝄫, E𝄫, F♭, G♭, A𝄫, B𝄫 (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).

What's the Phrygian scale formula?

The Phrygian scale follows the interval pattern H W W W H W W, where W = whole step (2 semitones) and H = half step (1 semitone). Apply that pattern starting on C♭ to get the C♭ Phrygian scale.

What chords work over C♭ Phrygian?

Phrygian works over the bIIImaj7 borrowed-chord vamp and Spanish-flamenco harmonic minor V chord (Phrygian dominant raises the 3rd).

How do I finger C♭ Phrygian on Viola?

On bowed strings, scales train both fingering and bow technique. First-position fingerings cover most scales up to one octave; second-, third-, and fourth-position shifts unlock the higher register. The 1-2-3-4 finger pattern adapts to the half-step + whole-step positions per scale.

When would I use the Phrygian scale?

Minor with a lowered 2nd — Spanish flamenco, dark, modal-jazz colour.