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F♯ phrygian dominant scale on guitar
F♯ phrygian dominant uses F♯, G, A♯, B, C♯, D, E. Box 2 keeps the root on the fifth string and covers frets 2–5 for mid-neck phrasing.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the F♯ phrygian dominant scale on guitar?
F♯ 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 low E string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 1, 2 | A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 3 | G, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2, 3 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
F♯ phrygian dominant in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 15 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the low E string at fret 2, the D string at fret 4 and the high e string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 3 | F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4 | A♯, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3, 5 | C♯, D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3 | F♯, G |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
F♯ phrygian dominant in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 15 notes across 6 strings, from A♯ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the A string at fret 9 and the B string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 8, 9 | A♯, B |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7, 9 | C♯, D, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8 | F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
F♯ phrygian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 16 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 9 and the G string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 5 (A) | 9, 10 | F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 11, 12 | A♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
Why it sounds like that
Take F♯ phrygian and raise the third from A to A♯. 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 F♯ phrygian for the minor version.
When to use it
Play it over F♯ major or F♯ 5th for a Phrygian dominant tonic. The ♭2 G and ♭6 D create tension against F♯ major, while the major third A♯ keeps it bright. Use it in flamenco, klezmer, and metal.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 2 first: the root is on the fifth string, ninth fret, and the position covers frets 2–5, giving easy access to the ♭2.
Common questions
What notes are in F♯ phrygian dominant?
The notes are F♯, G, A♯, B, C♯, D, E. The intervals are 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit F♯ phrygian dominant?
The tonic chord is F♯ major or F♯ 5th. Other common chords are G major, B minor, and E minor. The ♭2 and ♭6 create a Spanish flavour.
How is F♯ phrygian dominant different from F♯ phrygian?
F♯ phrygian dominant has a major third (A♯), while F♯ phrygian has a minor third (A). This changes the tonic chord from minor to major. The rest of the notes are identical.