B♯ Phrygian Scale
The B♯ Phrygian scale is the third mode of the G♯ major scale, giving it a distinctive dark, exotic, and tense sound commonly used in flamenco, metal, jazz, and cinematic music.
This page covers everything you need to know about the B♯ Phrygian scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.
B♯ Phrygian Scale Notes
The B♯ Phrygian mode contains the following notes:
B♯ – C♯ – D♯ – E♯ – F♯♯ – G♯ – A♯These notes come directly from the G♯ major parent scale, starting on its 3rd degree (B♯).
B♯ Phrygian Piano Diagram
This diagram highlights which keys belong to the B♯ Phrygian scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and characteristic tones such as the flat 2 (C♯), which gives this scale its signature sound.
B♯ Phrygian Scale Formula and Intervals
The interval formula for the Phrygian mode is:
Half – Whole – Whole – Whole – Half – Whole – WholeApplied to B♯, this gives us:
- B♯ → C♯
- C♯ → D♯
- D♯ → E♯
- E♯ → F♯♯
- F♯♯ → G♯
- G♯ → A♯
- A♯ → B♯
Thus, B♯ Phrygian is built with the following scale degrees:
- Root (B♯)
- Minor 2nd (C♯)
- Minor 3rd (D♯)
- Perfect 4th (E♯)
- Perfect 5th (F♯♯)
- Minor 6th (G♯)
- Minor 7th (A♯)
This structure gives the Phrygian mode its characteristic minor quality combined with a distinctive lowered 2nd.
Chords in the Key of B♯ Phrygian
When stacking thirds on each scale degree of the B♯ Phrygian scale, the following diatonic chords emerge:
- B♯ minor (i)
- C♯ major (II)
- D♯ major (III)
- E♯ minor (iv)
- F♯♯ diminished (v°)
- G♯ major (VI)
- A♯ minor (vii)
Related Scales and Modes
If you enjoy the sound of B♯ Phrygian, you may also like:
- B♯ Phrygian Dominant (Phrygian with a major 3rd)
- B♯ Natural Minor (Aeolian)
- B♯ Locrian
- G♯ Major (parent scale)
B♯ Phrygian Scale FAQs
How is B♯ Phrygian different from B♯ natural minor?
B♯ Phrygian has a minor 2nd (C♯) while B♯ natural minor has a major 2nd (C♯♯). These two scales are otherwise identical.
What is the parent scale of B♯ Phrygian?
G♯ major. B♯ Phrygian uses the same notes as G♯ major, but starts on its third degree (B♯).
Summary: B♯ Phrygian Scale
- Notes: B♯, C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯♯, G♯, A♯
- Mode: 3rd mode of G♯ major
- Formula: H, W, W, W, H, W, W