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