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