D Phrygian mode on piano

The Phrygian mode is a minor scale with a minor second, a half step above the root. Its dark, Spanish color is heard in flamenco and metal.

On the keyboard

13457126

Numbers above the keys are the scale degrees; the root is filled.

Notes of the scale

DegreeNoteInterval
1Droot
2E♭ (E flat)minor second
3Fminor third
4Gperfect fourth
5Aperfect fifth
6B♭ (B flat)minor sixth
7Cminor seventh

Steps between notes: H – W – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step)

This mode uses the same notes as the B flat major scale, starting from another degree.

Chords of the scale

Triads built on each degree:

  1. Dmi
  2. E♭II
  3. FIII
  4. Gmiv
  5. Adimv°
  6. B♭VI
  7. Cmvii

Other D scales

The same scale in other keys