7-note scale · also called Spanish Phrygian, Phrygian major, fifth mode of harmonic minor

The Phrygian dominant scale on guitar

Phrygian with a major 3rd: the flamenco and Middle-Eastern sound, and a metal staple.

Formula

1 ♭2 3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7

Step pattern

H – W+H – H – W – H – W – W

Sounds

exotic, Spanish and Middle-Eastern

Phrygian dominant is the fifth mode of the harmonic minor scale: A harmonic minor played from E to E gives E Phrygian dominant. Its formula is 1 ♭2 3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.

It combines Phrygian’s dark ♭2 with a major 3rd, and that gap between ♭2 and 3 (an augmented 2nd) gives it its unmistakable flamenco and Middle-Eastern colour.

Its root chord is a dominant 7th, so it is the go-to choice over V7 in a minor key, and over the I–♭II vamps of flamenco and metal.

E Phrygian dominant by scale degree

Here is E Phrygian dominant across the neck, labelled by scale degree instead of note name. Because guitar shapes are movable, this same pattern works in every key: slide it so the red root lands on the note you want.

Phrygian Dominant scale in all 12 keys

Pick a key for its notes, chords and fretboard diagrams.

When to use it

Use the Phrygian dominant scale over the V7 chord of a minor key, flamenco, metal and Middle-Eastern-flavoured melodies.

Practice tip: Over the V7 in a minor key (E7 in A minor), E Phrygian dominant uses exactly the notes of A harmonic minor.