Phrygian mode

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Due to historical confusion, Phrygian mode can refer to two very different musical modes or diatonic scales.

[edit] Greek Phrygian mode

The Phrygian mode is named after the ancient kingdom of Phrygia in Anatolia. In Greek music theory it was based on the Phrygian tetrachord: a series of rising intervals of a whole tone, followed by a semitone, followed by a whole tone. Applied to a whole octave, the Phrygian mode was built upon two Phrygian tetrachords separated by a whole tone. This is the same as playing all the white notes on a piano keyboard from D to D: D E F G | A B C D. Placing the two tetrachords together, and the single tone at bottom of the scale produces the Hypophrygian mode (below Phrygian): G | A B C D | (D) E F G. Placing the two tetrachords together, and the single tone at the top of the scale produces the Hyperphrygian mode (above Phrygian), which is effectively the same as the Hypodorian mode: A B C D | (D) E F G | A. Confusingly, the ancient-Greek Phrygian mode is the same as the medieval and modern Dorian mode.

[edit] Medieval and modern Phrygian mode

The early Christian church developed a system of eight musical modes (the octoechos), which mediaeval music scholars related to the ancient Greek modes. However, due to a misinterpretation of the Latin texts of Boethius, mediaeval modes were given the wrong Greek names. Thus, in mediaeval and modern music, the Phrygian mode is a minor musical mode or diatonic scale and may be constructed from the major scale starting on the third scale degree. The scale consists of flat 2, flat 3, flat 6, and flat 7 in the starting pitch's major scale.

The Phrygian mode may be played on the white keys of the piano, going from E to E:

E,F,G,A,B,C,D,E.

Thus, it can be represented in terms of a pattern of semitones and tones as s-T-T-T-s-T-T.

Examples include the following:

The E Phrygian mode is the C major scale starting on E.
The A Phrygian mode is the F major scale starting on A.
The B Phrygian mode is the G major scale starting on B.

If the third note is augmented back to its major scale value, a Phrygian dominant scale, also known as Phrygian major and Jewish Scale, results. Phrygian major is also known as the Spanish gypsy scale, and is often used in flamenco music. Some flamenco music uses both Phrygian and Phrygian major (often switching back and forth between these two scales).

Some Italian songs, like most The Godfather soundtrack themes, are promptly recognized as Italian music by the flat second note, which identifies the Phrygian mode.

Confusingly, the medieval and modern Phrygian mode is the same as the ancient-Greek Dorian mode.

An example of Phrygian mode is Would? by the Seattle-based band Alice in Chains, written in F Phrygian. Also, the Magus theme in the video game Chrono Trigger is a perfect example of E Phrygian. The Phrygian mode was very fashionable in the pop music of the late 1960s. Examples are White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane and Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun and Matilda Mother (organ solo) by Pink Floyd.

The Predator (film) movie theme is also mostly Phrygian, E minor with the second note being F instead of F#, even though some parts of this theme do use sharp keys in tone modulations.