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D phrygian dominant scale on guitar
D phrygian dominant uses D, E♭, F♯, G, A, B♭, C. Box 1 places the root on the fifth string and the second string, perfect for open-string flamenco.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the D phrygian dominant scale on guitar?
D phrygian dominant in box 1 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 15 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 5 and the B string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 5 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
| 4 (D) | 4, 5 | F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 2, 3, 5 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 4 | D, E♭ |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
Box 2 · frets 5–8
D phrygian dominant in box 2 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 16 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 A string at fret 5 and the G string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 5 (A) | 5, 6 | D, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7, 8 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8 | F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 8–11
D phrygian dominant in box 3 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 15 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to E♭ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the low E string at fret 10 and the high e string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
| 5 (A) | 9, 10 | F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 3 (G) | 8, 11 | E♭, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10, 11 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 10–13
D phrygian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 15 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to E♭ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the low E string at fret 10, the D string at fret 12 and the high e string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 11 | D, E♭ |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 11, 13 | A, B♭, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 11 | D, E♭ |
Why it sounds like that
Take D phrygian and raise the third from F to F♯. 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 D phrygian for the minor version.
When to use it
Play it over D major or D 5th for a Phrygian dominant tonic. The ♭2 E♭ and ♭6 B♭ create tension against D major, while the major third F♯ 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, fifth fret, and the position covers frets 2–5, giving easy access to the ♭2.
Common questions
What notes are in D phrygian dominant?
The notes are D, E♭, F♯, G, A, B♭, C. The intervals are 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. It is a phrygian scale with a raised third.
Which chords fit D phrygian dominant?
The tonic chord is D major or D 5th. Other common chords are E♭ major, G minor, and C minor. The ♭2 and ♭6 create a Spanish flavour.
How is D phrygian dominant different from D phrygian?
D phrygian dominant has a major third (F♯), while D phrygian has a minor third (F). This changes the tonic chord from minor to major. The rest of the notes are identical.