About the D flat Phrygian Dominant scale
D flat 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 D♭ Phrygian with the third raised.
Its notes are D♭, E♭♭, F, G♭, A♭, B♭♭, and C♭. The formula is H 1½ H W H W W. It is the fifth mode of G♭ Harmonic Minor.
Also called Freygish and Spanish Phrygian.
Three of the notes in D♭ Phrygian Dominant are black keys, D♭, G♭, and A♭.
Chords in the key of D flat Phrygian Dominant
Expand a chord to see how to play it.
I D flat
D flat over F (1st inversion)
II E double flat
E double flat over G flat (1st inversion)
iii° F diminished
F diminished over A flat (1st inversion)
iv G flat minor
G flat minor over B double flat (1st inversion)
v° A flat diminished
A flat diminished over C flat (1st inversion)
VI+ B double flat augmented
B double flat augmented over D flat (1st inversion)
vii C flat minor
C flat minor over E double flat (1st inversion)
Seventh chords in D flat Phrygian Dominant
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
I D flat seven
D flat seven
II E double flat major seven
E double flat major seven
iii° F diminished seven
F diminished seven
iv G flat minor major seven
G flat minor major seven
v° A flat minor seven flat five
A flat minor seven flat five
VI+ B double flat major seven sharp five
B double flat major seven sharp five
vii C flat minor seven
C flat minor seven
Progressions in D flat Phrygian Dominant
Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | DbD♭ | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | EbbE♭♭ | Minor 2nd |
| 3 | FF | Major 3rd |
| 4 | GbG♭ | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | AbA♭ | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | BbbB♭♭ | Minor 6th |
| 7 | CbC♭ | 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 | D flat | E double flat | F | G flat | A flat | B double flat | C flat | D flat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Left hand | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Shapes
Chromatic
Circle of Fifths
Related scales
Phrygian Dominant in other keys
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.