C sharp Phrygian scale on piano
The C sharp Phrygian scale on piano has 7 notes: C sharp, D, E, F sharp, G sharp, A, and B (C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B). It uses 3 black keys: C♯, F♯, G♯.
- C♯ C sharp 1
- D ♭2
- E ♭3
- F♯ F sharp 4
- G♯ G sharp 5
- A ♭6
- B ♭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 sharp 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 | C♯m | C♯m7 |
| II | D | D7M |
| III | E | E7 |
| IVm | F♯m | F♯m7 |
| V° | G♯° | G♯m7(b5) |
| VI | A | A7M |
| VIIm | Bm | Bm7 |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
More C sharp scales
- Major (D♭)
- Natural minor
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic (D♭)
- Minor pentatonic
- Blues
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian (D♭)
- Mixolydian
- Locrian
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião) (D♭)
- Phrygian dominant
- Whole-tone (D♭)
- Diminished (whole-half)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole)
Phrygian in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the C sharp Phrygian scale?
The notes of the C sharp Phrygian scale are C sharp, D, E, F sharp, G sharp, A, and B. It uses 3 black keys: C♯, F♯, G♯.
What is the formula of the C sharp 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 sharp Phrygian scale?
The chords of the key are C♯m, D, E, F♯m, G♯°, A, Bm. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.