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Cavaquinho Standard
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A Phrygian scale on cavaquinho

The A Phrygian scale has 7 notes: A B♭ C D E F G (A, B flat, C, D, E, F, and G).

  1. A 1
  2. B♭ B flat ♭2
  3. C ♭3
  4. D 4
  5. E 5
  6. F ♭6
  7. G ♭7
A Phrygian scale on cavaquinho: the whole fretboard with the notes A, Bb, C, D, E, F, G, from fret 0 to 17

Whole neck: every note of the scale up to fret 17. The root (A) is highlighted.

Positions as text

Position 7 (frets 5 to 9), from the lowest note to the highest:

  • string 4: 5 (G), 7 (A), 8 (B♭)
  • string 3: 5 (C), 7 (D), 9 (E)
  • string 2: 6 (F), 8 (G)
  • string 1: 7 (A), 8 (B♭)

Position 1 (frets 7 to 11), from the lowest note to the highest:

  • string 4: 7 (A), 8 (B♭), 10 (C)
  • string 3: 7 (D), 9 (E), 10 (F)
  • string 2: 8 (G), 10 (A), 11 (B♭)
  • string 1: 10 (C)

Position 2 (frets 8 to 12), from the lowest note to the highest:

  • string 4: 8 (B♭), 10 (C), 12 (D)
  • string 3: 9 (E), 10 (F), 12 (G)
  • string 2: 10 (A), 11 (B♭)
  • string 1: 10 (C), 12 (D)

Position 3 (frets 10 to 14), from the lowest note to the highest:

  • string 4: 10 (C), 12 (D), 14 (E)
  • string 3: 10 (F), 12 (G), 14 (A)
  • string 2: 11 (B♭), 13 (C)
  • string 1: 12 (D), 14 (E)

Position 4 (frets 12 to 15), from the lowest note to the highest:

  • string 4: 12 (D), 14 (E), 15 (F)
  • string 3: 12 (G), 14 (A), 15 (B♭)
  • string 2: 13 (C), 15 (D)
  • string 1: 14 (E), 15 (F)

Position 5 (frets 14 to 17), from the lowest note to the highest:

  • string 4: 14 (E), 15 (F), 17 (G)
  • string 3: 14 (A), 15 (B♭), 17 (C)
  • string 2: 15 (D), 17 (E)
  • string 1: 15 (F), 17 (G)

Position 6 (frets 14 to 17), from the lowest note to the highest:

  • string 4: 15 (F), 17 (G)
  • string 3: 14 (A), 15 (B♭), 17 (C)
  • string 2: 15 (D), 17 (E)
  • string 1: 15 (F), 17 (G)

Fretboard positions

Each position fits within 5 frets, with 2 to 3 notes per string, and starts on a scale note on the lowest string. Position 1 starts on the root (A).

On the cavaquinho the strings sit close together in pitch, and the 3-notes-per-string shape from the guitar would turn into a 7-fret stretch. That is why each position here fits within 5 frets.

Use Degrees to see the role of each note (1 is the root) and Listen to hear the selected position going up and down.

Formula

  1. A
  2. H
  3. B♭
  4. W
  5. C
  6. W
  7. D
  8. W
  9. E
  10. H
  11. F
  12. W
  13. G
  14. W
  15. A

Degrees: 1 · ♭2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · ♭7. Steps: H – W – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).

About the Phrygian scale

A minor mode with a minor 2nd. Dark and Spanish-sounding, common in metal and flamenco.

Harmonized scale (chords in the key)

The chords that come from the scale, stacking thirds from each note.

Degree Triad Seventh chord
Im Am Am7
II B♭ B♭7M
III C C7
IVm Dm Dm7
V° E° Em7(b5)
VI F F7M
VIIm Gm Gm7

Scales with the same notes

More A scales

Phrygian in other keys

Frequently asked questions

What are the notes of the A Phrygian scale?

The notes of the A Phrygian scale are A, B flat, C, D, E, F, and G. The root, degree 1, is A.

What is the formula of the A Phrygian scale?

In degrees: 1 · ♭2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · ♭7. In steps between the notes: H – W – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).

How do you play the A Phrygian scale on cavaquinho?

Each position fits within 5 frets, with 2 to 3 notes per string, and starts on a scale note on the lowest string. Position 1 starts on the root (A). There are 7 positions on cavaquinho, each with the full fingering.

Which chords belong to the A Phrygian scale?

The chords of the harmonized scale are: Am, B♭, C, Dm, E°, F, Gm.

On other instruments

All scales on cavaquinho