Learn the D Phrygian scale — notes, intervals, chords, modes, and more.
The D Phrygian scale contains the following notes:
D – E♭ – F – G – A – B♭ – CThe scale degrees of the D Phrygian scale are:
1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7| Scale Degree | Note |
|---|---|
| 1 | D |
| ♭2 | E♭ |
| ♭3 | F |
| 4 | G |
| 5 | A |
| ♭6 | B♭ |
| ♭7 | C |
The D Phrygian scale uses the interval pattern H, W, W, W, H, W, W
| From | To | Step |
|---|---|---|
| D | E♭ | H |
| E♭ | F | W |
| F | G | W |
| G | A | W |
| A | B♭ | H |
| B♭ | C | W |
| C | D | W |
| Scale Degree | Note | Interval from D |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | Perfect Unison |
| ♭2 | E♭ | Minor 2nd |
| ♭3 | F | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | G | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | A | Perfect 5th |
| ♭6 | B♭ | Minor 6th |
| ♭7 | C | Minor 7th |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i | Dm | D, F, A |
| II | E♭ | E♭, G, B♭ |
| III | F | F, A, C |
| iv | Gm | G, B♭, D |
| v° | Adim | A, C, E♭ |
| VI | B♭ | B♭, D, F |
| vii | Cm | C, E♭, G |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i7 | Dm7 | D, F, A, C |
| IImaj7 | E♭maj7 | E♭, G, B♭, D |
| III7 | F7 | F, A, C, E♭ |
| iv7 | Gm7 | G, B♭, D, F |
| vø7 | Am7♭5 | A, C, E♭, G |
| VImaj7 | B♭maj7 | B♭, D, F, A |
| vii7 | Cm7 | C, E♭, G, B♭ |
The modes of D Phrygian use the same notes but start on different scale degrees.
| Mode | Starting note | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| B♭ Ionian | B♭ | B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G, A |
| C Dorian | C | C, D, E♭, F, G, A, B♭ |
| D Phrygian | D | D, E♭, F, G, A, B♭, C |
| E♭ Lydian | E♭ | E♭, F, G, A, B♭, C, D |
| F Mixolydian | F | F, G, A, B♭, C, D, E♭ |
| G Aeolian | G | G, A, B♭, C, D, E♭, F |
| A Locrian | A | A, B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G |
D Phrygian is the 3rd mode of the B♭ major scale. Both share the same 7 notes — Phrygian starts on the 3rd degree (D) instead of the root (B♭).
The only difference is the 2nd degree. D Phrygian has a minor 2nd (E♭), while D natural minor has a major 2nd. That flat 2nd is Phrygian's defining characteristic — it gives the scale its distinctively dark, tense sound.