Learn the C♯ Phrygian scale — notes, intervals, chords, modes, and more.
The C♯ Phrygian scale contains the following notes:
C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G♯ – A – BThe scale degrees of the C♯ Phrygian scale are:
1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7| Scale Degree | Note |
|---|---|
| 1 | C♯ |
| ♭2 | D |
| ♭3 | E |
| 4 | F♯ |
| 5 | G♯ |
| ♭6 | A |
| ♭7 | B |
The C♯ Phrygian scale uses the interval pattern H, W, W, W, H, W, W
| From | To | Step |
|---|---|---|
| C♯ | D | H |
| D | E | W |
| E | F♯ | W |
| F♯ | G♯ | W |
| G♯ | A | H |
| A | B | W |
| B | C♯ | W |
| Scale Degree | Note | Interval from C♯ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C♯ | Perfect Unison |
| ♭2 | D | Minor 2nd |
| ♭3 | E | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | F♯ | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | G♯ | Perfect 5th |
| ♭6 | A | Minor 6th |
| ♭7 | B | Minor 7th |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i | C♯m | C♯, E, G♯ |
| II | D | D, F♯, A |
| III | E | E, G♯, B |
| iv | F♯m | F♯, A, C♯ |
| v° | G♯dim | G♯, B, D |
| VI | A | A, C♯, E |
| vii | Bm | B, D, F♯ |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i7 | C♯m7 | C♯, E, G♯, B |
| IImaj7 | Dmaj7 | D, F♯, A, C♯ |
| III7 | E7 | E, G♯, B, D |
| iv7 | F♯m7 | F♯, A, C♯, E |
| vø7 | G♯m7♭5 | G♯, B, D, F♯ |
| VImaj7 | Amaj7 | A, C♯, E, G♯ |
| vii7 | Bm7 | B, D, F♯, A |
The modes of C♯ Phrygian use the same notes but start on different scale degrees.
| Mode | Starting note | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A Ionian | A | A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯ |
| B Dorian | B | B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, A |
| C♯ Phrygian | C♯ | C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B |
| D Lydian | D | D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯ |
| E Mixolydian | E | E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D |
| F♯ Aeolian | F♯ | F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D, E |
| G♯ Locrian | G♯ | G♯, A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯ |
C♯ Phrygian is the 3rd mode of the A major scale. Both share the same 7 notes — Phrygian starts on the 3rd degree (C♯) instead of the root (A).
The only difference is the 2nd degree. C♯ Phrygian has a minor 2nd (D), while C♯ natural minor has a major 2nd. That flat 2nd is Phrygian's defining characteristic — it gives the scale its distinctively dark, tense sound.