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 | B♯C♯D𝄪°E♯mF𝄪°G♯+A♯m |
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 three black keys (C♯, G♯ and A♯) and four white. B♯, D𝄪, E♯ and F𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call C, E, F and G.
B♯ · C♯ · D𝄪 · E♯ · F𝄪 · G♯ · A♯
Try B♯ Phrygian Dominant on the virtual 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 = E♯m, v° = F𝄪°, VI+ = G♯+, vii = A♯m. 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𝄪°, E♯m, F𝄪°, G♯+, A♯m.
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 three black keys (C♯, G♯ and A♯) and four white. B♯, D𝄪, E♯ and F𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call C, E, F and G.
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.