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ENEN
Standard
Scales
Chords
G
Phrygian Dominant
Frets: 0 - 24

Formula
Notes

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