About the C Phrygian Dominant scale
C Phrygian Dominant is used for flamenco, metal and Middle Eastern and Jewish melodies. Think of it as a major-third scale with a flat second, the sound of flamenco and the Middle East. It is C Phrygian with the third raised.
Its notes are C, D♭, E, F, G, A♭, and B♭. The formula is H 1½ H W H W W. It is the fifth mode of F Harmonic Minor.
Also called Freygish and Spanish Phrygian.
Three of the notes in C Phrygian Dominant are black keys, D♭, A♭, and B♭.
Chords in the key of C Phrygian Dominant
Expand a chord to see how to play it.
I C
C over E (1st inversion)
II D flat
D flat over F (1st inversion)
iii° E diminished
E diminished over G (1st inversion)
iv F minor
F minor over A flat (1st inversion)
v° G diminished
G diminished over B flat (1st inversion)
VI+ A flat augmented
A flat augmented over C (1st inversion)
vii B flat minor
B flat minor over D flat (1st inversion)
Seventh chords in C Phrygian Dominant
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
I C seven
C seven
II D flat major seven
D flat major seven
iii° E diminished seven
E diminished seven
iv F minor major seven
F minor major seven
v° G minor seven flat five
G minor seven flat five
VI+ A flat major seven sharp five
A flat major seven sharp five
vii B flat minor seven
B flat minor seven
Progressions in C Phrygian Dominant
Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | CC | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | DbD♭ | Minor 2nd |
| 3 | EE | Major 3rd |
| 4 | FF | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | GG | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | AbA♭ | Minor 6th |
| 7 | BbB♭ | Minor 7th |
| Steps | H 1½ H W H W W |
|---|---|
| Semitones | 1-3-1-2-1-2-2 |
| Degrees | 1 ♭2 3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7 |
Fingering
Suggested fingering, follows standard fingering rules
| Hand | C | D flat | E | F | G | A flat | B flat | C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Shapes
Chromatic
Circle of Fifths
Related scales
Phrygian Dominant in other keys
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.