E♭ Phrygian Scale

The E♭ Phrygian scale is the 3rd mode of the C♭ 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 E♭ Phrygian scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.

E♭ Phrygian Scale Notes

The E♭ Phrygian scale contains the following notes:

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

E♭ Phrygian Piano Diagram

This diagram highlights which keys belong to the E♭ Phrygian scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and the overall shape of the scale on the keyboard.

E♭ Phrygian Scale Formula and Intervals

The interval formula for the Phrygian scale is:

Applied to E♭, this gives us:

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

Thus, E♭ Phrygian is built with the following scale degrees:

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

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

Chords in the Key of E♭ Phrygian

When stacking thirds on each scale degree of the E♭ Phrygian scale, the following diatonic triads emerge:

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

Related Scales and Modes

If you enjoy playing in E♭ Phrygian, you may also like:

• E♭ Phrygian Dominant (Phrygian with a major 3rd)
• E♭ minor
• E♭ Locrian
• C♭ major (parent scale)

E♭ Phrygian Scale FAQs

How is E♭ Phrygian different from E♭ natural minor?

E♭ Phrygian has a minor 2nd (F♭) while E♭ natural minor has a major 2nd (F).

What is the parent scale of E♭ Phrygian?

C♭ major. E♭ Phrygian uses the same notes as C♭ major, but starts on its 3rd degree (E♭).

Summary: E♭ Phrygian Scale

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