Explore scales · Bass
B♭ phrygian dominant scale on bass guitar
B♭ phrygian dominant contains B♭, C♭, D, E♭, F, G♭, A♭. Box 2 places the root on string 4, fret 6 and string 2, fret 8.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the B♭ phrygian dominant scale on bass?
B♭ phrygian dominant in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 11 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to C♭ on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 1 and the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 2 | B♭, C♭ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3, 4 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
B♭ phrygian dominant in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 9 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the E string at fret 4 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the E string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 6, 7 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 3 (A) | 5, 6 | D, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6 | G♭, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 7 | C♭, D |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
B♭ phrygian dominant in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 10 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 up to E♭ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the E string at fret 6 and the D string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 7 | B♭, C♭ |
| 3 (A) | 6, 8, 9 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 1 (G) | 7, 8 | D, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 10–13
B♭ phrygian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to A♭ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 11, 13 | D, E♭, F |
| 3 (A) | 11, 13 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 12, 13 | D, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 11, 13 | F, G♭, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ phrygian dominant is B♭ phrygian with the third raised from D♭ to D. The interval pattern is H, 1½, H, W, H, W, W. See B♭ phrygian for the natural third.
When to use it
B♭ phrygian dominant works over B♭ major or B♭ 5th in Klezmer and Middle Eastern styles. The ♭2 adds bite to dominant lines. Try it on B♭ major or B♭ 5th.
Which position to practise
Start with Box 2. It covers frets 4–7 and keeps the root on string 4, fret 6, ready for the high B♭ on string 2.
Common questions
Which notes are in B♭ phrygian dominant?
The notes are B♭, C♭, D, E♭, F, G♭, and A♭. The scale has a major third and a minor second. It is the fifth mode of E♭ harmonic minor. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What chords fit B♭ phrygian dominant?
B♭ major and B♭ 5th are the primary chords. The ♭2 and ♭6 create tension over these chords. Use the scale for dominant function in B♭ minor progressions.
How does B♭ phrygian dominant differ from B♭ phrygian?
B♭ phrygian dominant raises the third from D♭ to D. This creates a major third instead of a minor third. The rest of the notes stay the same.