B Phrygian dominant scale
The B Phrygian dominant scale is made of the notes B, C, D♯, E, F♯, G, A. It has 7 notes; compared with the major scale its formula is 1 ♭2 3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.
Modes of the harmonic minor · 7 notes
- 1B
- ♭2C
- 3D♯
- 4E
- 5F♯
- ♭6G
- ♭7A
PatternH – W+H – H – W – H – W – W(W = whole step, H = half step)
The seven scales you get by starting from each degree of the harmonic minor: they fit the chords of minor cadences. Degrees are shown relative to the major scale: ♭3 is the third lowered by a half step, ♯4 the fourth raised.
Mode and chords
The fifth mode of the harmonic minor: minor 2nd and major 3rd, with a step and a half between them. It is the scale of flamenco and Middle Eastern music; in jazz it is used over a 7♭9 chord resolving to a minor chord.
The B Phrygian dominant scale is mode 5 of the E harmonic minor scale: the same notes, starting from degree 5. E harmonic minor scale →
Put it into practice
The scale played in thirds over one octave: one of the exercises MEG generates from this scale.
This scale is not part of the demo: in the MEG app you will find it in every key, with 24 patterns.
Chords built on the scale
Frequently asked questions
- What are the notes of the B Phrygian dominant scale?
- The notes are B, C, D♯, E, F♯, G, A.
- What is the pattern of the B Phrygian dominant scale?
- The sequence of steps is H – W+H – H – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step); compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 ♭2 3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.
- Which scale is the B Phrygian dominant scale a mode of?
- It is mode 5 of the E harmonic minor scale.
- Which chords is the B Phrygian dominant scale used over?
- It is used over B7, B7♯5: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.