C Phrygian Scale

The C Phrygian scale is the third mode of the A♭ 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 C Phrygian scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.

C Phrygian Scale Notes

The C Phrygian mode contains the following notes:

C – D♭ – E♭ – F – G – A♭ – B♭

These notes come directly from the A♭ major parent scale, starting on its 3rd degree (C).

C Phrygian Piano Diagram

This diagram highlights which keys belong to the C Phrygian scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and characteristic tones such as the flat 2 (D♭), which gives this scale its signature sound.

C Phrygian Scale Formula and Intervals

The interval formula for the Phrygian mode is:

Half – Whole – Whole – Whole – Half – Whole – Whole

Applied to C, this gives us:

C → D♭
D♭ → E♭
E♭ → F
F → G
G → A♭
A♭ → B♭
B♭ → C

Thus, C Phrygian is built with the following scale degrees:

Root (C)
Minor 2nd (D♭)
Minor 3rd (E♭)
Perfect 4th (F)
Perfect 5th (G)
Minor 6th (A♭)
Minor 7th (B♭)

This structure gives the Phrygian mode its characteristic minor quality combined with a distinctive lowered 2nd.

Chords in the Key of C Phrygian

When stacking thirds on each scale degree of the C Phrygian scale, the following diatonic chords emerge:

C minor (i)
D♭ major (II)
E♭ major (III)
F minor (iv)
G diminished (v°)
A♭ major (VI)
B♭ minor (vii)

Related Scales and Modes

If you enjoy the sound of C Phrygian, you may also like:

C Phrygian Dominant (Phrygian with a major 3rd)
C Natural Minor (Aeolian)
C Locrian
A♭ Major (parent scale)

C Phrygian Scale FAQs

How is C Phrygian different from C natural minor?

C Phrygian has a minor 2nd (D♭) while C natural minor has a major 2nd (D). These two scales are otherwise identical.

What is the parent scale of C Phrygian?

A♭ major. C Phrygian uses the same notes as A♭ major, but starts on its third degree (C).

Summary: C Phrygian Scale

Notes: C, D♭, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭
Mode: 3rd mode of A♭ major
Formula: H, W, W, W, H, W, W