C♯ 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 C♯, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where C♯ is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | C♯ D E♯ F♯ G♯ A B |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2m · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7m |
| Step pattern | H W+H H W H W W |
| Chords in the key | C♯DE♯°F♯mG♯°A+Bm |
Chords in the C♯ Phrygian Dominant scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
C♯ Phrygian Dominant on the piano
Improvisation drone · C♯
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano C♯ Phrygian Dominant uses three black keys (C♯, F♯ and G♯) and four white. E♯ is the white key you'd normally call F.
C♯ · D · E♯ · F♯ · G♯ · A · B
Play C♯ Phrygian Dominant on the online piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
C♯ Phrygian Dominant on the guitar
C♯ Phrygian Dominant - fr 0–12
C♯ Phrygian Dominant on the staff
Notes of the C♯ Phrygian Dominant scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C♯ | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | D | minor 2nd2m | 1 | |
| 3 | E♯ | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | F♯ | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | G♯ | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | A | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | B | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes C♯ 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 C♯, C♯ Phrygian Dominant has E♯ where C♯ Phrygian has E; every other note is shared with C♯ Phrygian (C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A B).
How to use the C♯ Phrygian Dominant scale
The diatonic chords of C♯ Phrygian Dominant are: I = C♯, II = D, iii° = E♯°, iv = F♯m, v° = G♯°, VI+ = A+, vii = Bm. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in C♯ 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 C♯ 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 C♯ Phrygian Dominant
Start with the music described above: listen for C♯ 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 C♯ Phrygian Dominant scale?
The C♯ Phrygian Dominant scale contains C♯, D, E♯, F♯, G♯, A and B.
What is the formula for the C♯ Phrygian Dominant scale?
C♯ 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 C♯ Phrygian Dominant a major or minor scale?
C♯ Phrygian Dominant is a phrygian dominant scale. Phrygian with a major third - flamenco, klezmer and middle-eastern signature sound.
What chords belong to the C♯ Phrygian Dominant scale?
The diatonic chords of C♯ Phrygian Dominant are C♯, D, E♯°, F♯m, G♯°, A+, Bm.
Which genres use C♯ 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 C♯ Phrygian Dominant scale on the piano?
On the piano C♯ Phrygian Dominant uses three black keys (C♯, F♯ and G♯) and four white. E♯ is the white key you'd normally call F.
What is the difference between C♯ Phrygian Dominant and C♯ Phrygian?
On C♯, C♯ Phrygian Dominant has E♯ where C♯ Phrygian has E; every other note is shared with C♯ Phrygian (C♯ D E F♯ G♯ A B).
How do I practise the C♯ Phrygian Dominant scale?
Spend time on that half-step move from root to flat second. It's the most recognisable feature of phrygian dominant.