C Phrygian scale

The C Phrygian scale has the notes C D♭ E♭ F G A♭ B♭. Its formula is 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7. It is mode 3 of the A♭ major scale: the same notes, starting on C. Key signature: 4 flats (D♭ E♭ A♭ B♭).

It can also be written as B♯; we use the spelling with fewer accidentals.

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Scale notes

Degree	Formula	Note
I	1	C tonic
II	b2	D♭
III	b3	E♭
IV	4	F
V	5	G
VI	b6	A♭
VII	b7	B♭

Chords of the scale

Symbol	Chord	Notes	Chord-scale	Tensions	Avoid
Im7 modal center	Cm7	C E♭ G B♭	Phrygian C	11 (F)	b9 (D♭), b13 (A♭)
bIIMaj7 characteristic	D♭Maj7	D♭ F A♭ C	Lydian D♭	9 (E♭), #11 (G), 13 (B♭)	–
bIII7	E♭7	E♭ G B♭ D♭	Mixolydian E♭	9 (F), 13 (C)	11 (A♭)
IVm7	Fm7	F A♭ C E♭	Aeolian F	9 (G), 11 (B♭)	b13 (D♭)
Vø	Gø	G B♭ D♭ F	Locrian G	11 (C), b13 (E♭)	b9 (A♭)
bVIMaj7	A♭Maj7	A♭ C E♭ G	Ionian A♭	9 (B♭), 13 (F)	11 (D♭)
bVIIm7 characteristic	B♭m7	B♭ D♭ F A♭	Dorian B♭	9 (C), 11 (E♭)	13 (G)

Character and characteristic note

The Phrygian mode is the third mode of the major scale. It is a minor scale whose characteristic note is the flat second (b2), which makes it austere and somber. It is one of the darkest minor modes.

Effect: austere, somber.
Characteristic note: b2.
Characteristic chords: bIIMaj7 (D♭Maj7), bVIIm7 (B♭m7).

How to use it

Center Im7 (often I7sus4(b2)). Characteristic chords bIIMaj7 (the "dark lord") and bVIIm7 (more subtle). The melody keeps coming back to 1 or 5, contrasted with the b2. It can hide its character until the end.

Watch out for

bIIMaj7 / bIII7 moving to bVIMaj7 can tonicize VI.
An exposed b9 is harsh.

Examples

The Slip-Up
Nardis
Deluge

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the C Phrygian scale?

C D♭ E♭ F G A♭ B♭. 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7.

What chords can you build on the C Phrygian scale?

The seventh chords on each degree are Im7 = Cm7, bIIMaj7 = D♭Maj7, bIII7 = E♭7, IVm7 = Fm7, Vø = Gø, bVIMaj7 = A♭Maj7, bVIIm7 = B♭m7.