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D♯ Phrygian Scale

The D♯ Phrygian scale is the third 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 mode contains the following notes:

D♯ – E – F♯ – G♯ – A♯ – B – C♯

These 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 characteristic tones such as the flat 2 (E), which gives this scale its signature sound.

D♯ Phrygian Scale Formula and Intervals

The interval formula for the Phrygian mode is:

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

Applied to D♯, this gives us:

Thus, D♯ Phrygian is built with the following scale degrees:

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

Chords in the Key of D♯ Phrygian

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

Related Scales and Modes

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

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♯). These two scales are otherwise identical.

What is the parent scale of D♯ Phrygian?

B major. D♯ Phrygian uses the same notes as B major, but starts on its third degree (D♯).

Summary: D♯ Phrygian Scale