Scales reference
Phrygian Mode
Phrygian is the third mode of the major scale. Its minor quality and lowered second degree create its most immediate distinguishing relationship.
Developing reference
Overview
Phrygian places a semitone directly above the tonic while retaining a minor third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh. The lowered second separates it from Dorian and Aeolian.
Construction
Phrygian begins on the third degree of its relative parent major scale. In parallel terms, it resembles natural minor with a lowered second degree.
Characteristics
The tonic-to-lowered-second semitone creates a strong colour and can produce tension immediately around the tonal centre. Clear tonic emphasis keeps the collection from being heard only as its relative major scale.
Applications
Phrygian is useful for minor modal writing, pedal-point harmony, melodic neighbour motion, and comparing how a single altered degree changes the behaviour of related minor modes.