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E Phrygian Dominant scale

The E Phrygian Dominant scale has 7 notes: E, F, G♯, A, B, C, and D.

Exotic
E Phrygian Dominant scale on the piano: E F G♯ A B C D
E Phrygian Dominant on the piano. The filled dot is the tonic, E.
The E Phrygian Dominant scale, note by noteW is a whole step (two keys), H a half step (the next key).
  1. E1
  2. F2
  3. G♯3
  4. A4
  5. B5
  6. C6
  7. D7
  8. E8

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.

E Phrygian Dominant at a glance
NotesE F G♯ A B C D
Formula1P · 2m · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7m
Step patternH W+H H W H W W
Chords in the keyEFG♯°AmB°C+Dm

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.

  1. IE
  2. IIF
  3. iii°G♯°
  4. ivAm
  5. v°B°
  6. VI+C+
  7. viiDm

E Phrygian Dominant on the piano

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EFABCDEFABCDEG♯G♯

Improvisation drone · E

Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.

On the piano E Phrygian Dominant uses one black key (G♯) and six white.

E · F · G♯ · A · B · C · D

Try E Phrygian Dominant on the virtual piano

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Open the piano

E Phrygian Dominant on the guitar

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Position:
e
B
G
D
A
E
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E Phrygian Dominant - fr 0–12

E Phrygian Dominant on the staff

Notes of the E Phrygian Dominant scale

DegreeNoteIntervalSemitonesHear
1Eunison1P0
2Fminor 2nd2m1
3G♯major 3rd3M4
4Aperfect 4th4P5
5Bperfect 5th5P7
6Cminor 6th6m8
7Dminor 7th7m10

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 = Am, v° = B°, VI+ = C+, vii = Dm. 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.

Famous songs in E Phrygian Dominant

These well-known tracks all use the E Phrygian Dominant scale.

  1. 01MisirlouDick Dale
  2. 02Hava NagilaTraditional tune, no fixed key

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♯°, Am, B°, C+, Dm.

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 one black key (G♯) and six white.

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.