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Scale · 7 notes

G Phrygian Dominant Scale

G Phrygian Dominant is a 7-note scale with the notes G A♭ B C D E♭ F. It sounds the fifth mode of harmonic minor: a major 3rd with a flat 2nd, the sound of flamenco, klezmer and Middle Eastern music.

CDFGBE♭A♭

Purple = G (the tonic) · green = other scale notes

On the fretboard

Every G phrygian dominant note on the neck. Pick a pattern to see the compact fingering shape that fits under one hand.

EADGBe135791215FGA♭BCDE♭FGBCDE♭FGA♭BCDE♭FGA♭BCDE♭FGA♭BCDE♭FGA♭BCDE♭FGA♭BCDFGA♭BCDE♭FG

Blue = G (the root) · green = other scale notes

Notes in the G Phrygian Dominant scale

DegreeNoteName
1GTonic
♭2A♭Supertonic
3BMediant
4CSubdominant
5DDominant
♭6E♭Submediant
♭7FSubtonic

Each note uses a different letter name, so the spelling follows the scale rather than the keyboard: G A♭ B C D E♭ F.

G Phrygian Dominant scale formula

The pattern of steps from one note to the next is H – W+H – H – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step). Compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 ♭2 3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.

Chords in the G Phrygian Dominant scale

Stacking thirds on each note of the scale gives these chords:

DegreeTriad7th chord
IGG7
IIA♭A♭maj7
iii°B°B°7
ivCmCm(maj7)
v°D°Dø7
VI+E♭+E♭7♯5
viiFmFm7

Chord names link to guitar chord shapes where we have them.

How to practise the G Phrygian Dominant scale

Learn it as a variation of a scale you know and listen for the augmented second, the big step that gives it the sound. Play it over a drone on the root to hear the colour before you write with it.

Frequently asked questions

What are the notes in the G Phrygian Dominant scale?

The notes of the G Phrygian Dominant scale are G A♭ B C D E♭ F.

What is the formula for the G Phrygian Dominant scale?

The pattern of whole and half steps is H – W+H – H – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step). In scale degrees: 1 ♭2 3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.

What chords are in the G Phrygian Dominant scale?

Built from the scale in triads: G, A♭, B°, Cm, D°, E♭+, Fm.

More G scales

G Major, G Natural Minor, G Harmonic Minor, G Melodic Minor, G Dorian, G Phrygian, G Lydian, G Mixolydian, G Locrian, G Major Pentatonic, G Minor Pentatonic, G Blues, G Lydian Dominant, G Altered, G Whole Tone, G Dorian ♭2, G Lydian Augmented, G Mixolydian ♭6, G Locrian ♯2, G Hungarian Minor, G Double Harmonic, G Diminished (W–H), G Diminished (H–W), G Bebop Dominant, G Bebop Major

Explore the full scales library, find a scale from notes with the scale finder, or see every chord in every key in the chord chart.