Phrygian Dominant Guitar Scale Tab, Diagrams & Information

This page contains Phrygian dominant guitar diagrams & TAB.

The Phrygian dominant scale produces a unique 'Eastern' sound. It is formed either by raising the third note of a Phrygian modal scale, or by playing the fifth mode of a harmonic minor scale.

Hear the unique sound of the Phrygian dominant scale by playing the tab below:

Phrygian Dominant Guitar Tab

Phrygian Dominant Tab
Phrygian Dominant Tab: Click to enlarge

The tab shows a 2 octave C Phrygian dominant scale. It uses the notes shown in Fretboard Diagram 1 (shown below) and starts at the 8th fret.

Tab for an E Phrygian dominant scale is provided further down the page.

The Phrygian dominant scale is also known as the Freygish scale (particularly when used in Hebrew music), the Spanish Phrygian (or just Spanish) scale, or the major phrygian scale. It is very widely used in Middle Eastern music, and in flamenco.

Recently, rock guitarists have adopted the scale, and it is frequently used in heavy metal solos when the guitarist wants an Eastern sound.

Phrygian Dominant Guitar Diagrams

Use the diagrams below to play the phrygian dominant scale on guitar. The root notes of the scale are shown in green (i.e. position the green notes over 'C' notes on the fretboard to play a C Phrygian dominant scale).

Diagram 1

Phrygian Dominant Guitar Diagram 1

Diagram 2

Phrygian Dominant Guitar Shape
Phrygian Dominant Guitar Shape 2

Diagram 3

Phrygian Dominant Guitar Fretboard Diagram
Phrygian Dominant Guitar Fretboard Diagram 3

Diagram 4

Phrygian Dominant Guitar Scale Shape
Phrygian Dominant Guitar Scale Shape 4

Diagram 5

Phrygian Dominant Guitar Diagram
Phrygian Dominant Guitar Diagram 5

Phrygian Dominant Guitar Tab

Below is the guitar Tab for an E phrygian dominant scale.

phrygian dominant tab
Phrygian Dominant Tab

Phrygian Dominant Scale Theory

The notes in an E Phrygian dominant scale are:

E, F, G#, A, B, C, D, E

The scale can be formed by playing the fifth mode of a harmonic minor scale.

If you start any of the harmonic minor scale shapes on the fifth note of the scale, you'll be playing a phrygian dominant scale.

For example, by starting a C harmonic minor scale on the fifth note (G), you would be playing a G Phrygian dominant scale.

Changing a Phrygian Modal Scale to Create a Phrygian Dominant Scale

The phrygian dominant scale can also be formed by raising the third degree of a standard phrygian modal scale. See this article for shapes: Phrygian Scale Guitar.

By playing an E Phrygian scale with a raised third note (i.e. a G# rather than a G), you'll be playing an E Phrygian dominant scale.

Conclusion

The Phrygian dominant scale is a great scale to learn. You'll be able to make many other guitarist's jaws drop when they hear its cool, Eastern sounds. Give it a try the next time you take a solo!

You've Learned The Scales … Now Use Them!

The Phrygian dominant scale is one of those featured in Guitar Command's specially produced Guitar Scales Backing Tracks album. Practise improvising with this and other common guitar scales over specially recorded jam tracks. Listen to sample tracks here: Guitar Scales Backing Tracks.

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3 thoughts on “Phrygian Dominant Guitar Scale Tab, Diagrams & Information”

  1. Is there a difference between, ‘E Major, ‘Phrygian Mode, and ‘Bb – Parent Major Scale?
    If so,,, please indicate, and explain. ” I thought I understood / Now, I am confused “.

    Reply
    • Hi Donn,

      I’m not sure I completely understand your question, but this might help. (If not, let me know and I’ll try to rephrase the answer.)

      First, let’s look at the Phrygian scale (not the Phrygian dominant scale).

      An E Phrygian scale uses the same notes as a C major scale, but starts on an E rather than a C. Therefore the notes in an E Phrygian scale are E, F, G, A, B, C, D, E.

      More examples:

      C Phrygian scale uses the same notes as the major scale that has C as its third note (i.e. A flat major).

      A flat major scale: Ab, Bb, C, Dd, Eb, F, G, Ab
      C Phrygian scale: C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C

      ***

      A G sharp Phrygian scale would use the same notes as the major scale that had a G sharp as its third note, i.e. an E major scale.

      Therefore the notes in a G sharp Phrygian scale are: G#, A, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G# (the same notes as an E major scale, but starting on the G# rather than the E.)

      See this page Phrygian Mode for more info.

      ***

      The Phrygian dominant scale is a variation on the Phrygian scale. It is formed by playing a Phrygian scale with the third note raised a half-step.

      Hope this helps!

      Regards,

      The Guitar Command Team

      Reply

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