Chord Colors

E Phrygian Dominant scale

About the E Phrygian Dominant scale

E 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 E Phrygian with the third raised.

Its notes are E, F, G, A, B, C, and D. The formula is H 1½ H W H W W. It is the fifth mode of A Harmonic Minor.

Also called Freygish and Spanish Phrygian.

Learn more about the E Phrygian Dominant scale

The black key G belongs to the mode. E Phrygian Dominant runs four white keys in a row on the piano.

Chords in the key of E Phrygian Dominant

Expand a chord to see how to play it.

I E
Position 2 of 3

E over G sharp (1st inversion)

II F
Position 2 of 3

F over A (1st inversion)

iii° G sharp diminished
Position 2 of 3

G sharp diminished over B (1st inversion)

iv A minor
Position 2 of 3

A minor over C (1st inversion)

B diminished
Position 2 of 3

B diminished over D (1st inversion)

VI+ C augmented
Position 2 of 3

C augmented over E (1st inversion)

vii D minor
Position 2 of 3

D minor over F (1st inversion)

Seventh chords in E Phrygian Dominant

The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.

I E seven

E seven

II F major seven

F major seven

iii° G sharp diminished seven

G sharp diminished seven

iv A minor major seven

A minor major seven

B minor seven flat five

B minor seven flat five

VI+ C major seven sharp five

C major seven sharp five

vii D minor seven

D minor seven

Progressions in E Phrygian Dominant

Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.

Notes and intervals

1EERoot
2FFMinor 2nd
3G#G♯Major 3rd
4AAPerfect 4th
5BBPerfect 5th
6CCMinor 6th
7DDMinor 7th
StepsH 1½ H W H W W
Semitones1-3-1-2-1-2-2
Degrees1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Fingering

Suggested fingering, follows standard fingering rules

Hand EFG sharpABCDE
Right hand12312345
Left hand54321321

Shapes

Chromatic

CC♯D♭DD♯E♭EFF♯G♭GG♯A♭AA♯B♭B

Circle of Fifths

CGDAEBF♯G♭C♯D♭G♯A♭D♯E♭A♯B♭F

Related scales

Phrygian Dominant in other keys

Modes

The same notes, starting on a different note.

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E Phrygian Dominant scale on piano shown as colored note dots
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