C Phrygian dominant scale
The C Phrygian dominant scale is made of the notes C, D♭, E, F, G, A♭, B♭. 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
- 1C
- ♭2D♭
- 3E
- 4F
- 5G
- ♭6A♭
- ♭7B♭
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 C Phrygian dominant scale is mode 5 of the F harmonic minor scale: the same notes, starting from degree 5. F 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 C Phrygian dominant scale?
- The notes are C, D♭, E, F, G, A♭, B♭.
- What is the pattern of the C 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 C Phrygian dominant scale a mode of?
- It is mode 5 of the F harmonic minor scale.
- Which chords is the C Phrygian dominant scale used over?
- It is used over C7, C7♯5: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.