Phrygian

Phrygian is the third mode of the major scale. Because it is built off of a minor chord, it is minor in tonality. The intervals of the phrygian scale are as follows:

1   b2   b3   4   5   b6   b7

What makes phrygian unique is the b2. Otherwise, it is the same as the natural minor scale. The b2 is obviously very dark and scary sounding because of its half-step distance from the tonic. 

This scale is mainly used in Spanish progressions and metal songs where you have half-step chord movement, and where the tempo is high.

When we build 7th chords off of the phrygian scale we are left with the following:

I mi7   bII ma7   bIII7   IV   mi7   V mi7(b5)   bVI ma7   bVII mi7

While there aren't really many phrygian progressions, these two are the obvious applications:

• I mi - bII ma
• I ma - bII ma (obviously not diatonic, but worth mentioning because of it's cool, distinctly Spanish / Flamenco sound)

Attached are the five patterns of the phrygian scale as well as jam tracks of these progressions and a minor vamp.  Again, start with the minor pentatonic, add in the b2 and then the full phrygian scale. Often, this scale is played super fast and dirty. 

This is a scary one so get real heavy with the distortion and try to sound evil!

Jam Tracks:

1.  A phrygian - A minor vamp

2.  B phrygian - Ima - bIIma

3.  E phrygian - Imi - bIIma