B Phrygian Dominant at a glance
Phrygian dominant is the signature scale of flamenco, klezmer and middle-eastern modes. You'll also hear it in metal solos for that exotic, aggressive sound. Built on the root B, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where B is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | B C D♯ E F♯ G A |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2m · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7m |
| Step pattern | H W+H H W H W W |
| Chords in the key | BCD♯°EmF♯°G+Am |
Chords in the B Phrygian Dominant scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
B Phrygian Dominant on the piano
Improvisation drone · B
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano B Phrygian Dominant uses two black keys (D♯ and F♯) and five white.
B · C · D♯ · E · F♯ · G · A
Play B Phrygian Dominant on the online piano
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B Phrygian Dominant on the guitar
B Phrygian Dominant - fr 0–12
B Phrygian Dominant on the staff
Notes of the B Phrygian Dominant scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | C | minor 2nd2m | 1 | |
| 3 | D♯ | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | E | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | F♯ | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | G | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | A | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes B Phrygian Dominant different
Phrygian dominant is Phrygian with a major third, and that third is the one note separating the two. It's the fifth mode of harmonic minor, so its tonic is the major V chord of a minor key; E Phrygian dominant is the V of A minor. The half step from ♭2 to 1, next to the augmented second between ♭2 and 3, gives it its flamenco and klezmer sound. With the ♭7 added its tonic chord becomes a dominant seventh, which is why it's played over V7 in minor keys. On B, B Phrygian Dominant has D♯ where B Phrygian has D; every other note is shared with B Phrygian (B C D E F♯ G A).
How to use the B Phrygian Dominant scale
The diatonic chords of B Phrygian Dominant are: I = B, II = C, iii° = D♯°, iv = Em, v° = F♯°, VI+ = G+, vii = Am. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in B Phrygian Dominant. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own diagram and progressions.
Phrygian dominant is the signature scale of flamenco, klezmer and middle-eastern modes. You'll also hear it in metal solos for that exotic, aggressive sound.
Practice tips
Spend time on that half-step move from root to flat second. It's the most recognisable feature of phrygian dominant.
Formula & step pattern
The B Phrygian Dominant scale follows the fifth mode of harmonic minor: H-W+H-H-W-H-W-W with a major third over a flat second. Step pattern: H - W+H - H - W - H - W - W. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2m · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7m. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Where you will hear B Phrygian Dominant
Start with the music described above: listen for B Phrygian Dominant in it and transcribe a few short phrases by ear. It's the quickest way to learn how the scale sounds.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the B Phrygian Dominant scale?
The B Phrygian Dominant scale contains B, C, D♯, E, F♯, G and A.
What is the formula for the B Phrygian Dominant scale?
B Phrygian Dominant follows the fifth mode of harmonic minor: H-W+H-H-W-H-W-W with a major third over a flat second.
Is B Phrygian Dominant a major or minor scale?
B Phrygian Dominant is a phrygian dominant scale. Phrygian with a major third - flamenco, klezmer and middle-eastern signature sound.
What chords belong to the B Phrygian Dominant scale?
The diatonic chords of B Phrygian Dominant are B, C, D♯°, Em, F♯°, G+, Am.
Which genres use B Phrygian Dominant?
Phrygian dominant is the signature scale of flamenco, klezmer and middle-eastern modes. You'll also hear it in metal solos for that exotic, aggressive sound.
How do you play the B Phrygian Dominant scale on the piano?
On the piano B Phrygian Dominant uses two black keys (D♯ and F♯) and five white.
What is the difference between B Phrygian Dominant and B Phrygian?
On B, B Phrygian Dominant has D♯ where B Phrygian has D; every other note is shared with B Phrygian (B C D E F♯ G A).
How do I practise the B Phrygian Dominant scale?
Spend time on that half-step move from root to flat second. It's the most recognisable feature of phrygian dominant.