fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON GUITAR

C Phrygian Dominant

Phrygian with a raised 3rd — Spanish, klezmer, flamenco, metal. 5th mode of harmonic minor.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
Choose a root
Tempo120 bpm

Playback sounds an octave below the written notation — the instrument's concert (sounding) pitch.

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

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 5 title C Phrygian Dominant Verovio
Tuning
FretboardTuning: AEADGBE
35791215AEADGBEB♭CD♭EFGA♭B♭CEFGA♭B♭CD♭EFGB♭CD♭EFGA♭B♭CEFGA♭B♭CD♭EFGA♭B♭CD♭EFGA♭B♭CD♭EFGA♭B♭CD♭EFGA♭B♭CD♭EFG
Related scales
Diatonic chord harmonisation
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
Compare with
Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the C Phrygian Dominant scale?

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

What's the Phrygian Dominant scale formula?

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

What chords work over C Phrygian Dominant?

Phrygian dominant works over V7♭9♭13 of the parent harmonic minor. Spanish flamenco, klezmer, metal vocabulary.

How do I finger C Phrygian Dominant on Guitar?

On guitar, scales are typically learned as position patterns — three- or four-notes-per-string shapes that move up the neck. The CAGED system positions each scale in five interconnected patterns; the three-notes-per-string approach simplifies modal scales.

When would I use the Phrygian Dominant scale?

Phrygian with a raised 3rd — Spanish, klezmer, flamenco, metal. 5th mode of harmonic minor.