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