Interactive piano keyboard showing D Phrygian scale degrees. Click highlighted keys to play.
D phrygian (D, E♭, F, G, A, B♭, C) has two flats in its key signature and its flattened 2nd (E♭) creates the brooding, Spanish-tinged darkness that defines the phrygian character. Metal and progressive rock use D phrygian for heavy, atmospheric riffs. It also appears in flamenco guitar and cinematic scoring.
The flattened 2nd gives Phrygian its Spanish and flamenco character — this half-step from the root creates immediate dark tension not found in any other standard mode. It is the go-to scale for exotic, ominous atmosphere.
The seven diatonic modes — parallel modes starting from the same root with different interval patterns. Each mode has a unique character derived from the major scale.
The diatonic chords in D Phrygian are: Dm, Eb, F, Gm, Adim, Bb, Cm. These are the chords built naturally from each degree of the scale.
What is the Phrygian?
D phrygian (D, E♭, F, G, A, B♭, C) has two flats in its key signature and its flattened 2nd (E♭) creates the brooding, Spanish-tinged darkness that defines the phrygian character. Metal and progressive rock use D phrygian for heavy, atmospheric riffs. It also appears in flamenco guitar and cinematic scoring.
What notes are in the D Phrygian?
The D Phrygian contains the notes: D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb, C. This is a 7-note scale starting from D.
How many chords does the D Phrygian have?
The D Phrygian produces 7 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: Dm, Eb, F, Gm, Adim, Bb, Cm.
What is the formula for the Phrygian?
The Phrygian follows the interval formula: H-W-W-W-H-W-W (W = whole step, H = half step).
Page detail levelSimple keeps pages short: extra theory and advanced controls stay tucked away until you open them. Everything shows every section and control at once.
Position in circle of fifths
D is at the 2 o'clock position. Related keys: A (dominant), G (subdominant), B (relative minor), E (supertonic), C (subtonic).