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.
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
E over G sharp (1st inversion)
II F
F over A (1st inversion)
iii° G sharp diminished
G sharp diminished over B (1st inversion)
iv A minor
A minor over C (1st inversion)
v° B diminished
B diminished over D (1st inversion)
VI+ C augmented
C augmented over E (1st inversion)
vii D minor
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
v° 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
| 1 | EE | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | FF | Minor 2nd |
| 3 | G#G♯ | Major 3rd |
| 4 | AA | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | BB | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | CC | Minor 6th |
| 7 | DD | 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 | E | F | G sharp | A | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.