Chords in G Phrygian

G Phrygian is built from the notes G, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb and F. Its scale carries 3 flats. Harmonising that scale in thirds gives seven chords — 3 majors, 3 minors and 1 diminished — starting on Gm as the i. The chord on the fifth degree is Ddim rather than a major VØ, so G Phrygian has no leading tone and resolves by step and colour instead of by dominant pull — the sound that separates it from a plain G major.

Beyond those seven, G Phrygian commonly borrows G (I), Am (ii), Bm (iii), C (IV) and D (V) from the parallel major — the mixture chords that give a progression somewhere unexpected to go.