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The Phrygian Mode – Lesson 62

Chris Johnston

Music Theory Bragger
  • Nov 11, 2019
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    If we're using the Phrygian mode in E minor, are we borrowing notes from the C major scale?

    If you're using E Phrygian, then yeah you're using all the same notes as C Major 😊

    If you meant the relative Phrygian Mode in E natural minor (B Phrygian) then you're using 6 or the 7 notes in C major, the only difference is your F note in the scale is sharpened to an F# (this is not in the C Major scale) - B Phrygian would be instead using all the notes of the G major scale.


    Hope this helps and hope you're well 🤟
     
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    Bellah83

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    If you're using E Phrygian, then yeah you're using all the same notes as C Major 😊

    If you meant the relative Phrygian Mode in E natural minor (B Phrygian) then you're using 6 or the 7 notes in C major, the only difference is your F note in the scale is sharpened to an F# (this is not in the C Major scale) - B Phrygian would be instead using all the notes of the G major scale.


    Hope this helps and hope you're well 🤟
    Thank you, you as well. This definitely helps. It's finally clicking as to how the scale shapes are interchangeable within the modes.
     
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    Bellah83

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    Nov 11, 2019
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    E phrygian is the third mode of C major so you're effectively playing exactly the same notes with a different tone center. It is not really borrowing as much as it is all just the same notes really.
    I'm not great at remembering all of the notes yet. But I can visualize the scale shapes from the root notes, and adapt the tone centers. Are basic power chords, for example the low 3 string bars in drop tuning, considered minor chords always?
     

    idssdi

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    Nov 11, 2019
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    I'm not great at remembering all of the notes yet. But I can visualize the scale shapes from the root notes, and adapt the tone centers. Are basic power chords, for example the low 3 string bars in drop tuning, considered minor chords always?
    NO, absolutely not! Minor and major is determined by the minor or Major third, a powerchords has neither(just the root and the fifth). Basically, minor or Major is determined by the key you're in and the note you play over them. Let's take A5-G5-F5-G5 this hints at the key of A minor because that the key where you can have those powerchords in, the A is minor, G and F are major. However, because you are playing over powerchords you can definetely throw in either a minor or Major third in your solo every once in awhile but maybe that's for another time.
     
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    Bellah83

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    Nov 11, 2019
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    NO, absolutely not! Minor and major is determined by the minor or Major third, a powerchords has neither(just the root and the fifth). Basically, minor or Major is determined by the key you're in and the note you play over them. Let's take A5-G5-F5-G5 this hints at the key of A minor because that the key where you can have those powerchords in, the A is minor, G and F are major. However, because you are playing over powerchords you can definetely throw in either a minor or Major third in your solo every once in awhile but maybe that's for another time.
    For some reason, years ago I picked up on thinking they were all minor.
    A lot of clarity came from this. Thanks guys.
     
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