E 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

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

Notes of the scale

DegreeNoteInterval
1Eroot
2Fminor second
3Gminor third
4Aperfect fourth
5Bperfect fifth
6Cminor sixth
7Dminor 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 C major scale, starting from another degree.

Chords of the scale

Triads built on each degree:

  1. Emi
  2. FII
  3. GIII
  4. Amiv
  5. Bdimv°
  6. CVI
  7. Dmvii

Other E scales

The same scale in other keys