D Phrygian Scale
The D Phrygian scale is the 3rd mode of the B♭ 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 D Phrygian scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.
D Phrygian Scale Notes
The D Phrygian scale contains the following notes:
D – E♭ – F – G – A – B♭ – CThese notes come directly from the B♭ major parent scale, starting on its 3rd degree (D).
D Phrygian Piano Diagram
This diagram highlights which keys belong to the D Phrygian scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and the overall shape of the scale on the keyboard.
D Phrygian Scale Formula and Intervals
The interval formula for the Phrygian scale is:
H – W – W – W – H – W – WApplied to D, this gives us:
- D → E♭
- E♭ → F
- F → G
- G → A
- A → B♭
- B♭ → C
- C → D
Thus, D Phrygian is built with the following scale degrees:
- Root (D)
- Minor 2nd (E♭)
- Minor 3rd (F)
- Perfect 4th (G)
- Perfect 5th (A)
- Minor 6th (B♭)
- Minor 7th (C)
This structure gives the Phrygian mode its characteristic minor quality combined with a distinctive flat 2nd.
Chords in the Key of D Phrygian
When stacking thirds on each scale degree of the D Phrygian scale, the following diatonic triads emerge:
- D minor (i)
- E♭ major (II)
- F major (III)
- G minor (iv)
- A diminished (v°)
- B♭ major (VI)
- C minor (vii)
Related Scales and Modes
If you enjoy playing in D Phrygian, you may also like:
- D Phrygian Dominant (Phrygian with a major 3rd)
- D minor
- D Locrian
- B♭ major (parent scale)
D Phrygian Scale FAQs
How is D Phrygian different from D natural minor?
D Phrygian has a minor 2nd (E♭) while D natural minor has a major 2nd (E).
What is the parent scale of D Phrygian?
B♭ major. D Phrygian uses the same notes as B♭ major, but starts on its 3rd degree (D).
Summary: D Phrygian Scale
- Notes: D, E♭, F, G, A, B♭, C
- Mode: 3rd mode of B♭ major
- Formula: H, W, W, W, H, W, W