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C phrygian dominant scale on guitar
C phrygian dominant uses C, D♭, E, F, G, A♭, B♭. Box 1 places the root on the fifth string and the second string, ideal for open-string drones.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the C phrygian dominant scale on guitar?
C 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 3 and the B string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 5 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
| 4 (D) | 2, 3 | E, F |
| 3 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 2 | C, D♭ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C phrygian dominant in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 16 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to B♭ on the high e 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 3, 4 | C, D♭ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, A♭ |
| 3 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 6 | E, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
C phrygian dominant in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 15 notes across 6 strings, from B♭ on the low E string at fret 6 up to D♭ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the low E string at fret 8 and the high e string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 5 (A) | 7, 8 | E, F |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 6, 9 | D♭, E |
| 2 (B) | 6, 8, 9 | F, G, A♭ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 8, 9 | B♭, C, D♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C phrygian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 15 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to D♭ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the low E string at fret 8, the D string at fret 10 and the high e string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 9 | C, D♭ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 10, 11 | F, G, A♭ |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 10 | E, F |
| 2 (B) | 8, 9, 11 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 9 | C, D♭ |
Why it sounds like that
Take C phrygian and raise the third from E♭ to E. The scale now has a major third and a ♭2, giving intervals 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. The step pattern is H, 1½, H, W, H, W, W; see C phrygian for the minor version.
When to use it
Play it over C major or C 5th for a Phrygian dominant tonic. The ♭2 D♭ and ♭6 A♭ create tension against C major, while the major third E keeps it bright. Use it in flamenco, klezmer, and metal.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root is on the fifth string, third fret, and the position covers frets 0–3, giving easy access to the ♭2.
Common questions
What notes are in C phrygian dominant?
The notes are C, D♭, E, F, G, A♭, B♭. The intervals are 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. It is a phrygian scale with a raised third.
Which chords fit C phrygian dominant?
The tonic chord is C major or C 5th. Other common chords are C♯ major, F minor, and B♭ minor. The ♭2 and ♭6 create a Spanish flavour.
How is C phrygian dominant different from C phrygian?
C phrygian dominant has a major third (E), while C phrygian has a minor third (E♭). This changes the tonic chord from minor to major. The rest of the notes are identical.