Tonality of the month: Phrygian

Phrygian — extra sound sample, calm — 8-string guitar — May 2022 — 3:59 — as loop on a separate tab

The tonality of the month of June 2022 is Phrygian. Overall it is likely the least familiar of the regular diatonic heptatonalities, though well used in Islamic and Hindu music. The octave of regular diatonic tonalities follows a balanced pattern or matrix. Either two or three consecutive whole steps, a pair and a trio, alternate in separating the two individual half steps of these tonalities from each other. Phrygian corresponds to the white keys on the piano with E as fundamental. Its most distinguishing feature is the presence of both, the minor second and the minor sixth.

The above Phrygian sound sample first dwells for a moment in a reduced form of Phrygian, that is PentaMin / PentaEol or pentatonic minor. More (purely) Phrygian sound samples are available in the Tonalibus catalogue of tonalities under Phrygian. Below is an expanded elaboration of the the above Phrygian sound sample, the piece “Phrygian HU” — a meditative blues:

“Phrygian HU” — multiple 8-string guitar, voice, crotales, tampura — May 2022 — 10:20 — as loop on a separate tab

You may enjoy a sound sample or tonality loop as sound mantra for contemplation or meditation. This can help with upliftment, purification, and focusing. Or it could simply be used as soothing background sound for relaxation and regeneration. If you care to hum, chant, or sing along, you could do so using a spiritually charged syllable like HU or Ōṁ / Aum ॐ, or another mantra syllable that suits you.

Tonality of the month: Phrygian
Stars sparkling on the crests of gentle waves — May 2022 — Lake Wohlen, Switzerland