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Interactive Bass Scale Guide

Bb/A# Phrygian Bass Scale

Explore the Bb/A# Phrygian on 4, 5, and 6-string bass fretboards with interactive looper, note charts, TAB, and metronome practice.

🎸 Open in Interactive Fretboard

4-String Bass TAB & Notation

Copy this 1-octave ASCII TAB chart or follow along with the looper above: 

G|-------------------1--3---|
D|----------1--3--4---------|
A|-1--2--4------------------|
E|--------------------------|

Scale Notes & Interval Formula

Notes: Bb - Cb - Db - Eb - F - Gb - Ab

Bb Phrygian is the same set of pitches as A# Phrygian; this page spells the notes from Bb.

1
Bb
Step: H
♭2
Cb
Step: W
♭3
Db
Step: W
4
Eb
Step: W
5
F
Step: H
♭6
Gb
Step: W
♭7
Ab
Step: W

Diatonic Chords in this Scale

Chords and arpeggios built on each degree of this scale:

i
Bb Minor
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II
Cb Major
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III
Db Major
View Chord →
iv
Eb Minor
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v°
F Diminished
View Chord →
VI
Gb Major
View Chord →
vii
Ab Minor
View Chord →

Interactive Fretboard Chart

Filter:

Golden badges indicate the root note; purple badges mark active scale degrees.

Nut
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
G
Ab
Bb
Cb
Db
Eb
F
Gb
D
Eb
F
Gb
Ab
Bb
Cb
Db
A
Bb
Cb
Db
Eb
F
Gb
Ab
E
F
Gb
Ab
Bb
Cb
Db
Eb

Musical Character & Application

Character: Dark and compressed, defined by the flat second.

Typical Use: Metal, flamenco-adjacent riffs, pedal tones, and tense minor vamps.

Same notes from another root: F# Major. Closest on the same root: Bb Natural Minor and Bb Minor Pentatonic.

Play it into the exact-pitch bass trainer and see which notes you hit, or practise it over a ready-made line from the MIDI riff packs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the Bb/A# Phrygian bass scale?

The notes of the Bb Phrygian bass scale are: Bb - Cb - Db - Eb - F - Gb - Ab. The degree formula is: 1 - ♭2 - ♭3 - 4 - 5 - ♭6 - ♭7. Bb Phrygian is the same set of pitches as A# Phrygian; this page spells the notes from Bb.

What is the musical character and typical use of the Phrygian scale?

Dark and compressed, defined by the flat second. Common musical uses: Metal, flamenco-adjacent riffs, pedal tones, and tense minor vamps.

How do I practice the Bb/A# Phrygian on 4, 5, and 6-string bass?

Use Basnote's interactive fretboard to switch between 4-string (EADG), 5-string (BEADG), and 6-string (BEADGC) charts, hear real-time audio playback, and follow animated bass TAB with adaptive tempos.