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: 3 sharps (C♯ F♯ G♯).

It can also be written as D♭; 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	C♯m7	C♯ E G♯ B	Phrygian C♯	11 (F♯)	b9 (D), b13 (A)
bIIMaj7 characteristic	DMaj7	D F♯ A C♯	Lydian D	9 (E), #11 (G♯), 13 (B)	–
bIII7	E7	E G♯ B D	Mixolydian E	9 (F♯), 13 (C♯)	11 (A)
IVm7	F♯m7	F♯ A C♯ E	Aeolian F♯	9 (G♯), 11 (B)	b13 (D)
Vø	G♯ø	G♯ B D F♯	Locrian G♯	11 (C♯), b13 (E)	b9 (A)
bVIMaj7	AMaj7	A C♯ E G♯	Ionian A	9 (B), 13 (F♯)	11 (D)
bVIIm7 characteristic	Bm7	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 (DMaj7), bVIIm7 (Bm7).

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 = C♯m7, bIIMaj7 = DMaj7, bIII7 = E7, IVm7 = F♯m7, Vø = G♯ø, bVIMaj7 = AMaj7, bVIIm7 = Bm7.