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 – 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 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 – W

Applied 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