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B phrygian dominant scale on guitar
B phrygian dominant uses B, C, D♯, E, F♯, G, A. Box 2 keeps the root on the sixth string and covers the middle frets for smooth position shifts.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the B phrygian dominant scale on guitar?
B phrygian dominant in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 15 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 2 and the B string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
| 4 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 1 | B, C |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
B phrygian dominant in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 16 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 2 and the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 3 | B, C |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4, 5 | A, B, C |
| 2 (B) | 4, 5 | D♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
B phrygian dominant in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 15 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the low E string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
| 5 (A) | 6, 7 | D♯, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 8 | C, D♯ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7, 8 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
B phrygian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 15 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the low E string at fret 7, the D string at fret 9 and the high e string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 8 | B, C |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 3 (G) | 8, 9 | D♯, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8, 10 | F♯, G, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 8 | B, C |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
B phrygian dominant in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 15 notes across 6 strings, from D♯ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 14. The root falls on the A string at fret 14 and the B string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 12, 14 | A, B |
| 4 (D) | 13, 14 | D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12, 14 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (B) | 12, 13 | B, C |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
Raise the third of B phrygian from D to D♯. That single change creates a major tonic and the characteristic augmented second between C and D♯. The step pattern is H, 1½, H, W, H, W, W; compare with B phrygian.
When to use it
Use it over B major or B 5th for a Phrygian dominant tonic. The ♭2 C and ♭6 G add darkness to B major, while the major third D♯ keeps it major. It suits flamenco, Middle Eastern, and neoclassical metal.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 2 first: the root sits on the sixth string, seventh fret, and the position covers frets 2–5, making the ♭2 easy to reach.
Common questions
What notes are in B phrygian dominant?
The notes are B, C, D♯, E, F♯, G, A. The intervals are 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. It is a phrygian scale with a raised third.
Which chords fit B phrygian dominant?
The tonic chord is B major or B 5th. Other common chords are C major, E minor, and A minor. The ♭2 and ♭6 create a Spanish flavour.
How is B phrygian dominant different from B phrygian?
B phrygian dominant has a major third (D♯), while B phrygian has a minor third (D). This changes the tonic chord from minor to major. The rest of the notes are identical.