About the D Phrygian b4 scale
D Phrygian b4 is used for metal, film scoring and tense modal writing. Think of it as a phrygian scale with its fourth lowered, extra dark.
Its notes are D, E♭, F, G♭, A, B♭, and C. The formula is H W H 1½ H W W. It is the third mode of B♭ Harmonic Major.
The black keys E♭, G♭, and B♭ belong to D Phrygian ♭4.
Chords in the key of D Phrygian b4
Expand a chord to see how to play it.
i D minor
D minor over F (1st inversion)
ii E flat minor
E flat minor over G flat (1st inversion)
III F
F over A (1st inversion)
IV+ G flat augmented
G flat augmented over B flat (1st inversion)
v° A diminished
A diminished over C (1st inversion)
VI B flat
B flat over D (1st inversion)
vii° C diminished
C diminished over E flat (1st inversion)
Seventh chords in D Phrygian b4
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
i D minor seven
D minor seven
ii E flat minor major seven
E flat minor major seven
III F seven
F seven
IV+ G flat major seven sharp five
G flat major seven sharp five
v° A diminished seven
A diminished seven
VI B flat major seven
B flat major seven
vii° C minor seven flat five
C minor seven flat five
Progressions in D Phrygian b4
Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | DD | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | EbE♭ | Minor 2nd |
| 3 | FF | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | GbG♭ | Diminished 4th |
| 5 | AA | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | BbB♭ | Minor 6th |
| 7 | CC | Minor 7th |
| Steps | H W H 1½ H W W |
|---|---|
| Semitones | 1-2-1-3-1-2-2 |
| Degrees | 1 ♭2 ♭3 ♭4 5 ♭6 ♭7 |
Fingering
Suggested fingering, follows standard fingering rules
| Hand | D | E flat | F | G flat | A | B flat | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Shapes
Chromatic
Circle of Fifths
Related scales
Phrygian b4 in other keys
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.