D Phrygian dominant scale
The D Phrygian dominant scale is made of the notes D, E♭, F♯, G, A, B♭, C. 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
- 1D
- ♭2E♭
- 3F♯
- 4G
- 5A
- ♭6B♭
- ♭7C
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 D Phrygian dominant scale is mode 5 of the G harmonic minor scale: the same notes, starting from degree 5. G 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 D Phrygian dominant scale?
- The notes are D, E♭, F♯, G, A, B♭, C.
- What is the pattern of the D 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 D Phrygian dominant scale a mode of?
- It is mode 5 of the G harmonic minor scale.
- Which chords is the D Phrygian dominant scale used over?
- It is used over D7, D7♯5: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.