D♯ 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 D♯, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where D♯ is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | D♯ E F𝄪 G♯ A♯ B C♯ |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2m · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7m |
| Step pattern | H W+H H W H W W |
| Chords in the key | D♯EF𝄪°G♯mA♯°B+C♯m |
Chords in the D♯ Phrygian Dominant scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
D♯ Phrygian Dominant on the piano
Improvisation drone · D♯
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano D♯ Phrygian Dominant uses four black keys (D♯, G♯, A♯ and C♯) and three white. F𝄪 is the white key you'd normally call G.
D♯ · E · F𝄪 · G♯ · A♯ · B · C♯
Try D♯ Phrygian Dominant on the virtual piano
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D♯ Phrygian Dominant on the guitar
D♯ Phrygian Dominant - fr 0–12
D♯ Phrygian Dominant on the staff
Notes of the D♯ Phrygian Dominant scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D♯ | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | E | minor 2nd2m | 1 | |
| 3 | F𝄪 | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | G♯ | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | A♯ | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | B | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | C♯ | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes D♯ 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 D♯, D♯ Phrygian Dominant has F𝄪 where D♯ Phrygian has F♯; every other note is shared with D♯ Phrygian (D♯ E F♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯).
How to use the D♯ Phrygian Dominant scale
The diatonic chords of D♯ Phrygian Dominant are: I = D♯, II = E, iii° = F𝄪°, iv = G♯m, v° = A♯°, VI+ = B+, vii = C♯m. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in D♯ 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 D♯ 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 D♯ Phrygian Dominant
Start with the music described above: listen for D♯ 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 D♯ Phrygian Dominant scale?
The D♯ Phrygian Dominant scale contains D♯, E, F𝄪, G♯, A♯, B and C♯.
What is the formula for the D♯ Phrygian Dominant scale?
D♯ 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 D♯ Phrygian Dominant a major or minor scale?
D♯ Phrygian Dominant is a phrygian dominant scale. Phrygian with a major third - flamenco, klezmer and middle-eastern signature sound.
What chords belong to the D♯ Phrygian Dominant scale?
The diatonic chords of D♯ Phrygian Dominant are D♯, E, F𝄪°, G♯m, A♯°, B+, C♯m.
Which genres use D♯ 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 D♯ Phrygian Dominant scale on the piano?
On the piano D♯ Phrygian Dominant uses four black keys (D♯, G♯, A♯ and C♯) and three white. F𝄪 is the white key you'd normally call G.
What is the difference between D♯ Phrygian Dominant and D♯ Phrygian?
On D♯, D♯ Phrygian Dominant has F𝄪 where D♯ Phrygian has F♯; every other note is shared with D♯ Phrygian (D♯ E F♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯).
How do I practise the D♯ Phrygian Dominant scale?
Spend time on that half-step move from root to flat second. It's the most recognisable feature of phrygian dominant.