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E♭ phrygian dominant scale on bass guitar
E♭ phrygian dominant uses E♭, F♭, G, A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭. Box 2 places the root on string 3, fret 6 and string 1, fret 8.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the E♭ phrygian dominant scale on bass?
E♭ phrygian dominant in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F♭ on the E string at fret 0 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the D string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 3 | F♭, G |
| 3 (A) | 1, 2 | B♭, C♭ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 2 | E♭, F♭ |
| 1 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, A♭, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
E♭ phrygian dominant in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 10 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 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 4, 6 | D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 5, 6 | G, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 4, 6 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
E♭ phrygian dominant in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 11 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 up to F♭ on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the A string at fret 6 and the G string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 6, 7 | E♭, F♭ |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 8, 9 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
E♭ phrygian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 9 notes across 4 strings, from D♭ on the E string at fret 9 up to G on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the E string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 11, 12 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 3 (A) | 10, 11 | G, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | C♭, D♭ |
| 1 (G) | 9, 12 | F♭, G |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
E♭ phrygian dominant in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the E string at fret 11 up to A♭ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the E string at fret 11 and the D string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 12 | E♭, F♭ |
| 3 (A) | 11, 13, 14 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 1 (G) | 12, 13 | G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
Raise the third of E♭ phrygian from G♭ to G to form this scale. The steps are H, 1½, H, W, H, W, W. Compare with E♭ phrygian to hear the major third.
When to use it
Use it over E♭ major or E♭ 5th for a Spanish or Middle Eastern feel. The ♭2 and ♭6 suit dominant lines. Try it on E♭ major or E♭ 5th.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 2 first. It keeps the root under your first finger at fret 6 on string 3 and reaches the high E♭ at fret 8 on string 1.
Common questions
Which notes are in E♭ phrygian dominant?
The notes are E♭, F♭, G, A♭, B♭, C♭, and D♭. The scale has a major third and a minor second. It is the fifth mode of A♭ harmonic minor. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What chords fit E♭ phrygian dominant?
E♭ major and E♭ 5th are the primary chords. The ♭2 and ♭6 create tension over these chords. Use the scale for dominant function in E♭ minor progressions.
How does E♭ phrygian dominant differ from E♭ phrygian?
E♭ phrygian dominant raises the third from G♭ to G. This creates a major third instead of a minor third. The rest of the notes stay the same.