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