D Phrygian dominant scale on piano
The D Phrygian dominant scale on piano has 7 notes: D, E flat, F sharp, G, A, B flat, and C (D, E♭, F♯, G, A, B♭, C). It uses 3 black keys: E♭, F♯, B♭.
- D 1
- E♭ E flat ♭2
- F♯ F sharp 3
- G 4
- A 5
- B♭ B flat ♭6
- C ♭7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (D) 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 D Phrygian dominant 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
- D
- H
- E♭
- 1½W
- F♯
- H
- G
- W
- A
- H
- B♭
- W
- C
- W
- D
Degrees: 1 · ♭2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · ♭7. Steps: H – 1½W – H – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the Phrygian dominant scale
Fifth mode of the harmonic minor. A flamenco and Arabic sound, widely used in metal.
Harmonized scale (chords in the key)
The chords that come from the scale, stacking thirds from each note.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord |
|---|---|---|
| I | D | D7 |
| II | E♭ | E♭7M |
| III° | F♯° | F♯°7 |
| IVm | Gm | Gm(7M) |
| V° | A° | Am7(b5) |
| VI+ | B♭+ | B♭7M(#5) |
| VIIm | Cm | Cm7 |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
More D 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 dominant in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the D Phrygian dominant scale?
The notes of the D Phrygian dominant scale are D, E flat, F sharp, G, A, B flat, and C. It uses 3 black keys: E♭, F♯, B♭.
What is the formula of the D Phrygian dominant scale?
In degrees: 1 · ♭2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · ♭7. In steps between notes: H – 1½W – H – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).
Which chords go with the D Phrygian dominant scale?
The chords of the key are D, E♭, F♯°, Gm, A°, B♭+, Cm. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.