Phrygian Dominant Scale

Phrygian dominant is the fifth mode of the harmonic minor scale. It sounds like a dominant seventh chord built on a Phrygian root — major, with a flatted second. The result is one of the most instantly recognisable exotic sounds in music: the scale that defines flamenco guitar, Middle Eastern maqam traditions, and the Andalusian sound. When you hear the dramatic opening of "Hava Nagila" or a flamenco guitarist running up into a turnaround, that's Phrygian dominant.

Construction

The 5th mode of the harmonic minor scale.
E Phrygian Dominant (5th mode of A harmonic minor):
A harmonic minor: A B C D E F G# A
5th mode:         E F G# A B C D E

Formula: 1  ♭2  3  4  5  ♭6  ♭7

Step pattern: H - A2 - H - W - H - W - W
(A2 = augmented second, the characteristic interval of harmonic minor)

The augmented second (between ♭2 and the major 3rd — F and G# in E Phrygian Dominant) is the signature interval. That wide leap is unmistakably Middle Eastern or Spanish in character.

Key Scales

E Phrygian Dominant: E F G# A B C D E
A Phrygian Dominant: A B♭ C# D E F G A
B Phrygian Dominant: B C D# E F# G A B
G Phrygian Dominant: G A♭ B C D E♭ F G

Sound and Character

Dramatic, exotic, intensely coloured. The major third against the flatted second creates the tension that defines the scale — it's simultaneously strong (major 3rd) and dark (♭2, ♭6). The augmented second jump makes melodies sound vocal and ornamental. This is the scale of gypsy jazz, flamenco, Jewish klezmer, Arabic maqam hijaz, and the V chord in minor key classical cadences.

Harmonic Context

In a minor key, the V chord is often made major (V7 instead of v7) by raising the 7th degree — this is the "harmonic" part of harmonic minor. The scale that fits over this raised V7 chord in a minor key is Phrygian dominant. In A minor, the V chord is E7 (with G# instead of G). E Phrygian Dominant fits perfectly over E7 in A minor — it has the major 3rd (G#) that makes the chord major, while the ♭2 (F) and ♭6 (C) give it the darkly exotic quality of the minor key context.

Use in Jazz

In jazz contexts, Phrygian dominant works over altered dominant chords in minor ii-V-i progressions. Over E7 in an A minor context, it sounds darker and more exotic than E Mixolydian and provides a natural fit with the harmonic minor harmony. Some jazz players use it for any V7 chord in a minor key for the extra colour it provides.