In this post we’re going to learn how to play the Phrygian (Dominant) scale, with the help of fretboard diagrams and guitar tabs.
The intervals in the Phrygian Dominant Scale scale are Root, Minor Second, Major Third, Perfect Fourth, Perfect Fifth, Minor Sixth, and Minor Seventh
The C Phrygian Dominant Scale scale is composed of the notes E F G# A B C and D
What’s the Phrygian Dominant Mode ?
The Phrygian (dominant) scale is the fifth mode of the harmonic minor scale. It is also referred to as Mixolydian b2 b6, Phrygian major, Altered Phrygian, dominant flat 2 flat 6, Spanish, Harmonic Major Inverse, Jewish or Spanish Gipsy scale.
The Phrygian dominant scale is nothing more and nothing less than a Mixolydian scale with a lowered 9th (b2, b9) and lowered 13th (b6, b13). It is spelled 1 – b2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – b6 – b7. It can also be seen as the Phrygian mode (the third mode of the major scale) but with a major third instead of a minor third (b3).
Comparison Between Phrygian Scales
As you can see in the chart below, in comparison with the Phrygian dominant scale, the Phrygian mode has a minor third (b3) and the Phrygian (dominant) bebop scale has an extra note (7) between the minor seventh (b7) and the root.
Now you can play the Phrygian dominant scale With Chords all over the guitar neck using three notes per string. This technique allows to start on each step of the scale : Shape 1 (tonic), step 2 (minor second), step 3 (major third), etc.
