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Standard
Scales
Chords
A
Phrygian Dominant
Frets: 0 - 24

Formula
Notes

m2-m3-m2-M2-m2-M2
A
B♭
C♯
D
E
F
G
E
G
D
A
E
F
B♭
F
1
C♯
A
E
2
G
D
B♭
F
G
3
C♯
4
A
E
G
D
A
5
B♭
F
C♯
B♭
6
D
A
E
7
G
B♭
F
8
C♯
E
C♯
9
D
A
F
G
D
10
B♭
C♯
11
E
G
D
A
E
12
F
B♭
F
13
C♯
A
E
14
G
D
B♭
F
G
15
C♯
16
A
E
G
D
A
17
B♭
F
C♯
B♭
18
D
A
E
19
G
B♭
F
20
C♯
E
C♯
21
D
A
F
G
D
22
B♭
C♯
23
E
G
D
A
E
24

Basic Scale Information

  • Name: Phrygian Dominant
  • Type: Mode of the harmonic minor scale
  • Formula: 1 – ♭2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – ♭6 – ♭7
  • Relation with Major Scale: It is the fifth mode of the harmonic minor scale.

Theoretical Aspects

  • Sound Character: It has a very marked Arabic/Spanish sound. The major third and minor seventh create a strongly dominant but also exotic character.
  • Typical Chord: 7♭9
  • Modal Context: Ideal for creating tension on altered dominant chords in modal contexts. Frequently used to build ethnic melodies or extended dominants.
  • Harmonic Use: On V7 in minor keys, or for suspended dominants in exotic modal contexts.

Musical Context

  1. Musical Styles: Flamenco, Jazz, World, Metal
  2. Songs using the scale:
    • Spain - Chick Corea
    • Malagueña - Ernesto Lecuona
    • Oriental - Isaac Albéniz
    • Dance of the Maya - Mahavishnu Orchestra
  3. Evoked Atmosphere: Exotic, intense, dramatic, with strong rhythmic drive and tension.

Chords in Scale