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C♯ phrygian dominant scale on bass guitar

C♯ phrygian dominant uses C♯, D, E♯, F♯, G♯, A, B. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 4 and string 1, fret 6.

E♯F♯G♯BC♯E♯F♯G♯ABEADG1234
Positions on the neck1 of 4

How it is built

C♯1D♭2E♯3F♯4G♯5A♭6B♭7

Formula 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7

Chords these notes build

How do you play the C♯ phrygian dominant scale on bass?

C♯ phrygian dominant in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E♯ on the E string at fret 1 up to B on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 4.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
4 (E)1, 2, 4E♯, F♯, G♯
3 (A)2, 4B, C♯
2 (D)3, 4E♯, F♯
1 (G)1, 2, 4G♯, A, B

Box 2 · frets 4–7

C♯ phrygian dominant in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 11 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the E string at fret 4 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the A string at fret 4 and the G string at fret 6.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
4 (E)4, 5, 7G♯, A, B
3 (A)4, 5C♯, D
2 (D)4, 6, 7F♯, G♯, A
1 (G)4, 6, 7B, C♯, D

Box 3 · frets 7–10

C♯ phrygian dominant in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 9 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to E♯ on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the E string at fret 9.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
4 (E)7, 9, 10B, C♯, D
3 (A)8, 9E♯, F♯
2 (D)7, 9A, B
1 (G)7, 10D, E♯

Box 4 · frets 9–12

C♯ phrygian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 10 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the E string at fret 9 up to F♯ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the E string at fret 9 and the D string at fret 11.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
4 (E)9, 10C♯, D
3 (A)9, 11, 12F♯, G♯, A
2 (D)9, 11, 12B, C♯, D
1 (G)10, 11E♯, F♯

Why it sounds like that

Raise the third of C♯ phrygian from E to E♯ to form this scale. The steps are H, 1½, H, W, H, W, W. Compare with C♯ phrygian to hear the major third.

When to use it

Use it over C♯ major or C♯ 5th for a Spanish or Middle Eastern feel. The ♭2 and ♭6 suit dominant lines. Try it on C♯ major or C♯ 5th.

Which position to practise

Learn Box 1 first. It keeps the root under your first finger at fret 4 on string 3 and reaches the high C♯ at fret 6 on string 1.

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. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.

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.