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SCALE · ON ALTO SAXOPHONE

E♯ Phrygian

Minor with a lowered 2nd — Spanish flamenco, dark, modal-jazz colour.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
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Meter:Octave per barCrotchets in 4/4Quavers in 4/4Triplets in 4/4
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 3 title E♯ Phrygian
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 2 3 4 5 title E♯ Phrygian
Verovio
Tempo120 bpm

Playback sounds a major 6th below the written notation — the instrument's concert (sounding) pitch.

Audio source: tonejs-instruments by Nick Brosowsky (MIT)

FingeringFollows the scale as it plays — written pitch, matches the staff
E♯8ve8vefFfFDDE♭E♭FFbisbisG♯G♯C♯C♯BBB♭B♭EECCB♭B♭F♯F♯E♭E♭CC
Related scales
Diatonic chord harmonisation
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
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Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the E♯ Phrygian scale?

The E♯ Phrygian scale uses the notes E♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, B♯, C♯, D♯ (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).

What's the Phrygian scale formula?

The Phrygian scale follows the interval pattern H W W W H W W, where W = whole step (2 semitones) and H = half step (1 semitone). Apply that pattern starting on E♯ to get the E♯ Phrygian scale.

What chords work over E♯ Phrygian?

Phrygian works over the bIIImaj7 borrowed-chord vamp and Spanish-flamenco harmonic minor V chord (Phrygian dominant raises the 3rd).

How do I finger E♯ Phrygian on Alto Saxophone?

On saxophone, scales train fingering + the altissimo register. Practice the entire range — low Bb through high F (or higher with altissimo fingerings) — at each scale.

When would I use the Phrygian scale?

Minor with a lowered 2nd — Spanish flamenco, dark, modal-jazz colour.