The Spanish Guitar Scale
This Spanish guitar scale is in fact a mode which is really a scale in itself as all modes are simply a variation of the major scale. Either way, this mode will definitely help you to add some Spanish flavour to your guitar playing. As I've said before when talking about other guitar styles and scales, there isn't really any such thing as a 'Spanish guitar scale' or a 'Spanish mode' at least not in pure musical terms anyway. There is however a specific mode that is mainly used in Spanish/flamenco guitar playing styles. This mode is called the Phrygian mode and as such is known as the flamenco mode.
I've created 4 charts for this mode showing finger positions and notes on both three notes to a string and box/cage style patterns.
To go straight to the Phrygian mode/Spanish guitar scale just click the link below. Alternatively, please read on for more information on the history and development of scales, the various musical periods and the Spanish and modern classical guitar.
Go Straight to The Phrygian Mode - 'Spanish Guitar Scale'Note: These charts are in the key of 'F'. Simply move the scale/mode pattern up or down the neck to relocate a new position for the root note/tonic to change the key.
The Spanish Guitar
Spain is renowned for its classical and flamenco guitar makers (luthiers) and for some of the most influential players of all time. The Flamenco Guitar and the Classical Guitar are very similar in their construction and also to look at but are both designed to play different styles of music. The flamenco guitar is designed to play the more traditional Spanish flamenco style of guitar playing while the classical guitar is designed to play standard classical music. Of course, both musical styles can easily be played on either guitar but the sound projected won't be quite right for the individual styles.
This is because Flamenco guitars are built to be lighter in weight with thinner tops than classical guitars in order to produce a brighter and more percussive sound. Flamenco guitar Luthiers also use less internal bracing to keep the top more resonant.
The 'Spanish guitar scale/mode that follows will of course give us that true and wonderful Spanish guitar flavour indicative of Spain and their incredible flamenco guitar playing, as opposed to the more modern classical guitar style, also played in Spain and brought forward by the great Spanish classical guitarists Francisco Taregga 1852-1909 and Andres Segovia 1893-1987.
Periods & Eras of Western Classical Music
There are a number of periods in history that define musical trends and influenced the development of the guitar. As you can see below, these periods overlapped as you'd expect because they wouldn't just start and stop at a certain year. They would slowly change and develop overtime from one period to the next. The periods and their years of start and decline are generally considered to be the following;
- The Medieval Period - 500-1400 AD
- The Renaissance Period - 1400-1600 AD
- The Baroque Period - 1600-1750 AD
- The Classical Period - 1730-1820 AD
- The Romantic Period - 1780-1910 AD
- The Impressionist Period - 1875-1925 AD
- The Modern Period - 1890-1975 AD
- The 20th Century - 1900-2000 AD
- The Contemporary/Post Modern Period - 1975-Present Day
- The 21st Century - 2000-Present Day
The History of Scales and Modes
It's the ancient Greeks who are credited to the earliest scale forms. These scales were named after the Greek's most highly respected tribes. They were the Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian and Mixolydian tribes that we now know as modes. These scales, later to become 'modes', all contained eight notes each including the octave as they still do today. Originally, these scales were written in descending order and were equivalent to the white keys of a keyboard. The Dorian scale descended from the note of E, the Phrygian scale descended from the note of D, the Lydian scale descended from the note of C and the Mixolydian scale descended from the note of B.
During the middle ages, musicians of the Christian church used these modes in their playing but they changed them in various ways. Firstly, they changed their direction so they ascended instead of descended. Secondly, the notes that the scales started on were also changed. In addition to this they also changed their name from 'scale' to 'mode' as we know them today.
The changes made it so the Dorian mode ascended from D to D, the Phrygian mode ascended from E to E, the Lydian mode ascended from F to F and the Mixolydian mode ascended from G to G. In addition to this, if it wasn't already slightly confusing, was the fact that the old Greek Lydian scale that originally descended from the note of C, was renamed the Ionian mode and now ascended from C. Also, the original Greek Mixolydian scale that descended from the note of B now ascended from B and was renamed the Locrian mode, and the scale that started on the note of A was named the Aeolian mode. This meant that there were now seven modes in total with each one representing and relating to one of the white keys of the keyboard.
Today however, we only recognise five modes in musical theory as the Ionian mode and the Aeolian mode were predecessors of the diatonic major and diatonic natural minor scales respectively and therefore assume their titles. So, the Ionian mode is now represented by the major scale as it has the same step-pattern and the same sound, and the Aeolian mode is represented by the natural minor scale as they also have the same-step patterns and therefore the same sound.
The focus of our attention here though, for our 'Spanish guitar flavour', is the Phrygian mode, a true Spanish guitar scale when played over the appropriate chords. More information on modes and other guitar scales can be seen at guitar scales charts.
As I've said before I can't emphasis enough that the most important thing with all scales is not the theory, at least not in the early stages of learning to play the guitar. Just pay attention to the fret numbers and take one pattern at a time. Focus on getting your fingers in the right places and keep practising the pattern that you're learning until you know it off by heart and can play it without thinking about it. Then learn the next pattern up and merge the two patterns together before moving on to the next pattern and doing the same. With diligent practice, you'll become fluent and be able to play along to anything relating to whatever scale and key you have learnt which in this case is Spanish guitar music.
Just learn from the Spanish guitar scale charts below and keep practising, it gets a lot easier over-time.
If you want to learn more about the theory of scales then read the information above, or also on this site at guitar scales charts, there's a lot of information there.
Below are the finger numbers for the 'Spanish guitar scale' charts that follow as well as any other guitar related charts whether for scales or chords:
1 = index finger, 2 = middle finger, 3 = ring finger,
4 = little (pinkie) finger.
And the red notes are the root/tonic notes of the scale which in this case is 'F'.
Enjoy your practice!
F Phrygian Mode
(Three Notes to each string with Finger Positions)
Spanish Guitar Scale Chart #1
Musical Styles - Flamenco, Fusion, Speed Metal
Chords played over - Major, Minor, Minor Sevenths
Major Scale Comparison - Root-b2-b3-4-5-b6-b7-Octave
Intervals - S,T,T,T,S,T,T
T = Tone (whole step/2 frets), S = Semi-tone (half step/1 fret)
Finger positions - index = 1 - middle = 2 - ring = 3 - little/pinkie = 4
The Phrygian mode is formed by lowering the 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 7th notes of the major scale by one fret (one semi-tone or one half-step). When played over appropriate chords such as minors this mode has a real Spanish flavour that makes it perfect for flamenco and similar guitar styles and why it's often referred to as the 'flamenco mode'. I like to call it the 'Spanish guitar scale' though as do many others. The Phrygian mode is also used in fusion and speed metal solos and improvisation.
Scroll down past this chart for more playing options
Remember, all red notes are the root/tonic of the scale which is 'F' here.
The minor chords illustrated above give that wonderful Spanish flavour when played alongside this Mode.
F Phrygian Mode
(Three Notes to each string with Notes)
Spanish Guitar Scale Chart #2
Musical Styles - Flamenco, Fusion, Speed Metal
Chords played over - Major, Minor, Minor Sevenths
This chart shows exactly the same fingering pattern as the previous chart but the notes on the fret board are illustrated instead of the fingers used.
Back To TopF Phrygian Mode
(Box Style with finger positions)
Spanish Guitar Scale Chart #3
Musical Styles - Flamenco, Fusion, Speed Metal
Chords played over - Major, Minor, Minor Sevenths
This chart shows the phrygian mode in the box/cage style pattern which doesn't always have three notes to a string. Some people with smaller fingers prefer to use this fingering pattern because three notes to a string can often be too much of a stretch for them.
Again, the minor chords illustrated above give us that wonderful Spanish flavour when played with this Mode.
F Phrygian Mode
(Box Style with notes)
Spanish Guitar Scale Chart #4
Musical Styles - Flamenco, Fusion, Speed Metal
Chords played over - Major, Minor, Minor Sevenths
This chart shows exactly the same fingering pattern as the previous chart but the notes on the fret board are illustrated as opposed to the fingers used.
This mode has a wonderful Spanish flavour that makes it the perfect Spanish guitar scale and a must have for all Spanish guitar enthusiasts out there. I will be uploading a video playing this mode over the minor chords in the not too distant future. Until then, get the Phrygian mode under your fingers and get practising.
Buena suerte! (good luck!)
Jazz Guitar Scales | Pentatonic Guitar Scales | Blues Guitar Scales
Guitar Scales Charts | Guitar Chords Charts | Guitar Bar Chords
