D Phrygian scale

The D Phrygian scale has the notes D E♭ F G A B♭ C. Its formula is 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7. It is mode 3 of the B♭ major scale: the same notes, starting on D. Key signature: 2 flats (E♭ B♭).

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Scale notes

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

Chords of the scale

Symbol	Chord	Notes	Chord-scale	Tensions	Avoid
Im7 modal center	Dm7	D F A C	Phrygian D	11 (G)	b9 (E♭), b13 (B♭)
bIIMaj7 characteristic	E♭Maj7	E♭ G B♭ D	Lydian E♭	9 (F), #11 (A), 13 (C)	–
bIII7	F7	F A C E♭	Mixolydian F	9 (G), 13 (D)	11 (B♭)
IVm7	Gm7	G B♭ D F	Aeolian G	9 (A), 11 (C)	b13 (E♭)
Vø	Aø	A C E♭ G	Locrian A	11 (D), b13 (F)	b9 (B♭)
bVIMaj7	B♭Maj7	B♭ D F A	Ionian B♭	9 (C), 13 (G)	11 (E♭)
bVIIm7 characteristic	Cm7	C E♭ G B♭	Dorian C	9 (D), 11 (F)	13 (A)

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 (E♭Maj7), bVIIm7 (Cm7).

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 D Phrygian scale?

D E♭ F G A B♭ C. 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7.

What chords can you build on the D Phrygian scale?

The seventh chords on each degree are Im7 = Dm7, bIIMaj7 = E♭Maj7, bIII7 = F7, IVm7 = Gm7, Vø = Aø, bVIMaj7 = B♭Maj7, bVIIm7 = Cm7.