C Phrygian scale on piano
The C Phrygian scale on piano has 7 notes: C, D flat, E flat, F, G, A flat, and B flat (C, D♭, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭). It uses 4 black keys: D♭, E♭, A♭, B♭.
- C 1
- D♭ D flat ♭2
- E♭ E flat ♭3
- F 4
- G 5
- A♭ A flat ♭6
- B♭ B flat ♭7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (C) has the strongest color. Tap a key to hear the note; "Play" goes up and down. The small dot marks middle C (C4).
Fingering for the C Phrygian scale
This scale has no single fingering in piano method books. A rule that works: never put the thumb on a black key, and pass the thumb right after a black key. Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger.
Formula
- C
- H
- D♭
- W
- E♭
- W
- F
- W
- G
- H
- A♭
- W
- B♭
- W
- C
Degrees: 1 · ♭2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · ♭7. Steps: H – W – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the Phrygian scale
A minor mode with a minor 2nd. Dark and Spanish-sounding, common in metal and flamenco.
Harmonized scale (chords in the key)
The chords that come from the scale, stacking thirds from each note.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord |
|---|---|---|
| Im | Cm | Cm7 |
| II | D♭ | D♭7M |
| III | E♭ | E♭7 |
| IVm | Fm | Fm7 |
| V° | G° | Gm7(b5) |
| VI | A♭ | A♭7M |
| VIIm | B♭m | B♭m7 |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
More C scales
- Major
- Natural minor
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic
- Minor pentatonic
- Blues
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Locrian
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião)
- Phrygian dominant
- Whole-tone
- Diminished (whole-half)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole)
Phrygian in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the C Phrygian scale?
The notes of the C Phrygian scale are C, D flat, E flat, F, G, A flat, and B flat. It uses 4 black keys: D♭, E♭, A♭, B♭.
What is the formula of the C Phrygian scale?
In degrees: 1 · ♭2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · ♭7. In steps between notes: H – W – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).
Which chords go with the C Phrygian scale?
The chords of the key are Cm, D♭, E♭, Fm, G°, A♭, B♭m. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.