Ready to move on to something a bit more exotic? Well, since we've got a good understanding of how to embellish a pentatonic to make it sound different (by changing modes), let's try another one. This time we'll construct a Phrygian pentatonic.
The Phrygian mode is the third mode of a major scale, which also makes it a minor mode. So, with that in mind let's take a look at our good friend the A min pentatonic.
A, C, D, E, G- Root, IIIb, IV, V, VIIb.
Remember that in the Dorian mode we simply added the natural 6th to go from natural minor to Dorian. In this example, we want to make it Phrygian. Let's look at a Phrygian scale in A:
A, Bb, C, D, E, F, G- Root, IIb, IIIb, IV, V, VIb, VIIb
Again, very similar to a natural minor with only a one note difference- The flatted 2nd. This one note gives this scale it's unique flavor, a darker spanish feel. In fact, Phrygian is the mode of choice for Flamenco guitar styles.
To construct our embellishhed pentatonic, we simply take our minor pentatonic scale (in A min):
A, C, D, E, G and add a flatted 2nd to (Bb):
A, Bb, C, D, E, G.
A variation of this scale is often used by metal guitarists by playing a major third instead of minor third. This is called a Phrygian Dominant and would simply be (in Amin):
A, Bb, C# (our Phrygian dominant note), D, E, G
Listen to some of Ritchie Blackmore's music for good examples of the Phrygian mode.
Last edited by sirN on Fri May 19, 2006 5:06 am, edited 2 times in total.
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