Explore scales · Bass
C phrygian dominant scale on bass guitar
C phrygian dominant contains C, D♭, E, F, G, A♭, B♭. Box 3 places the root on string 4, fret 8 and string 2, fret 10.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the C phrygian dominant scale on bass?
C phrygian dominant in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 3 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 2, 3 | E, F |
| 1 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, A♭, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C phrygian dominant in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to D♭ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the A string at fret 3 and the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 4 | C, D♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, D♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
C phrygian dominant in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 9 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 up to E on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the E string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 7, 8 | E, F |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 9 | D♭, E |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C phrygian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 10 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to F on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the E string at fret 8 and the D string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 9 | C, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 10, 11 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 1 (G) | 9, 10 | E, F |
Why it sounds like that
C phrygian dominant is C phrygian with the third raised from E♭ to E. The interval pattern is H, 1½, H, W, H, W, W. See C phrygian for the natural third.
When to use it
C phrygian dominant works over C major or C 5th in flamenco and fusion. The ♭2 adds a dark colour to dominant lines. Try it on C major or C 5th.
Which position to practise
Start with Box 3. It covers frets 6–9 and keeps the root on string 4, fret 8, ready for the high C on string 2.
Common questions
Which notes are in C phrygian dominant?
The notes are C, D♭, E, F, G, A♭, and B♭. The scale has a major third and a minor second. It is the fifth mode of F harmonic minor.
What chords fit C phrygian dominant?
C major and C 5th are the primary chords. The ♭2 and ♭6 create tension over these chords. Use the scale for dominant function in C minor progressions.
How does C phrygian dominant differ from C phrygian?
C phrygian dominant raises the third from E♭ to E. This creates a major third instead of a minor third. The rest of the notes stay the same.