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: 5 sharps (D♯ F♯ G♯ A♯ C♯).

It can also be written as E♭; we use the spelling with fewer accidentals.

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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	D♯m7	D♯ F♯ A♯ C♯	Phrygian D♯	11 (G♯)	b9 (E), b13 (B)
bIIMaj7 characteristic	EMaj7	E G♯ B D♯	Lydian E	9 (F♯), #11 (A♯), 13 (C♯)	–
bIII7	F♯7	F♯ A♯ C♯ E	Mixolydian F♯	9 (G♯), 13 (D♯)	11 (B)
IVm7	G♯m7	G♯ B D♯ F♯	Aeolian G♯	9 (A♯), 11 (C♯)	b13 (E)
Vø	A♯ø	A♯ C♯ E G♯	Locrian A♯	11 (D♯), b13 (F♯)	b9 (B)
bVIMaj7	BMaj7	B D♯ F♯ A♯	Ionian B	9 (C♯), 13 (G♯)	11 (E)
bVIIm7 characteristic	C♯m7	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 (EMaj7), bVIIm7 (C♯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 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 = D♯m7, bIIMaj7 = EMaj7, bIII7 = F♯7, IVm7 = G♯m7, Vø = A♯ø, bVIMaj7 = BMaj7, bVIIm7 = C♯m7.