Chords in B Phrygian
B Phrygian is built from the notes B, C, D, E, F#, G and A. Its scale carries 1 sharp. Harmonising that scale in thirds gives seven chords — 3 majors, 3 minors and 1 diminished — starting on Bm as the i. The chord on the fifth degree is F#dim rather than a major VØ, so B Phrygian has no leading tone and resolves by step and colour instead of by dominant pull — the sound that separates it from a plain B major.
Beyond those seven, B Phrygian commonly borrows B (I), C#m (ii), D#m (iii), E (IV) and F# (V) from the parallel major — the mixture chords that give a progression somewhere unexpected to go.
The seven chords
Extended to four notes each, the same seven degrees give Bm7, Cmaj7, D7, Em7, F#m7b5, Gmaj7, Am7.
Borrowed chords
Play B Phrygian with no capo — its own shapes are already the easiest ones.
All eight capo positions for B Phrygian →