Improvise in Phrygian Mode
Introduction
(For more information about building modes, see Understanding Modal Harmony.)
The Phrygian mode is similar to the minor scale, but with a ♭2. A Phrygian vamp will tend to focus on the ♭2 sound. So you'll the I tonic chord (sometimes colored with ♭2), with other chords also supporting the ♭2, for instance ♭IImaj.
The tracks here are focused on learning to improvise in A Phrygian. The ♭2 of the scale is B♭ (instead of the B which would appear normally in A minor.
The three backing tracks presented here offer the chance to improvise in A minor only, (“C”), A Phrygian only (“D”) and a track that switches back and forth between the two (“CD”).
The Chord Progression
Note that there are three tracks: one for “C,”, one for “D”, and one for “CD”.
A Aeolian (Minor)
A Phrygian
Track “C” — A Minor Only
Track “D” — A Phrygian Only
Track “CDH” — A Minor, A Phrygian
As the creator of Hub Guitar, Grey has compiled hundreds of guitar lessons, written several books, and filmed hundreds of video lessons. He teaches private lessons in his Boston studio, as well as via video chat through TakeLessons.