The D♭ Phrygian scale contains seven notes: D♭, E♭♭, F♭, G♭, A♭, B♭♭, and C♭. It follows the whole-step / half-step pattern H-W-W-W-H-W-W.
The D♭ Phrygian mode is the third mode of the B♭♭ Major scale. It has a minor sound with a distinctive flatted second degree, common in flamenco and metal.
D♭ Phrygian Mode Notes
| Degree | Name | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | D♭ | P1 |
| ♭2 | Supertonic | E♭♭ | m2 |
| ♭3 | Mediant | F♭ | m3 |
| 4 | Subdominant | G♭ | P4 |
| 5 | Dominant | A♭ | P5 |
| ♭6 | Submediant | B♭♭ | m6 |
| ♭7 | Leading Tone | C♭ | m7 |
Diatonic Chords in the D♭ Phrygian Mode
These are the triads built on each degree of the D♭ Phrygian Mode:
How Phrygian Relates to the Major Scale
Mode
Key
D♭ Phrygian uses the same notes as A Major
Relative modes — all share the same notes
A Ionian=B Dorian=C♯ Phrygian=D Lydian=E Mixolydian=F♯ Aeolian=A♭ Locrian
Common Tones
Common tones are the notes that two scales or modes share. Knowing which notes the D♭ mode shares with its parallel modes (same root, different scale) helps with improvisation, modal interchange, and smooth voice leading. The more notes two modes share, the more closely related they sound — and the easier it is to slide between them in a solo or progression.
| Parallel Mode | Common Notes | Shared / 7 |
|---|---|---|
| D♭ Dorian | D♭ – E♭♭ – F♭ – G♭ – A♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ – D♭ | 8 / 7 |
| D♭ Lydian | D♭ – E♭♭ – F♭ – G♭ – A♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ – D♭ | 8 / 7 |
| D♭ Mixolydian | D♭ – E♭♭ – F♭ – G♭ – A♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ – D♭ | 8 / 7 |
| D♭ Locrian | D♭ – E♭♭ – F♭ – G♭ – A♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ – D♭ | 8 / 7 |
| D♭ Ionian | D♭ – E♭♭ – F♭ – G♭ | 4 / 7 |
| D♭ Aeolian | D♭ – E♭♭ – F♭ – G♭ | 4 / 7 |
D♭ Phrygian Mode — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the Db Phrygian mode?
Db Phrygian contains: Db, Ebb, Fb, Gb, Ab, Bbb, Cb. Third mode of Bbb Major. Enharmonic of C# Phrygian.
How does Db Phrygian differ from Db Natural Minor?
Db Phrygian has Ebb (minor 2nd), Db Natural Minor has Eb (major 2nd).
What is the parent major scale?
Third mode of Bbb Major (enharmonically A Major).
How is Db Phrygian used in music?
Enharmonic C# Phrygian is more common. Flamenco, metal, exotic music.
What chords are built from Db Phrygian?
Dbm, Ebb, Fb, Gbm, Abdim, Bbb, Cbm. The bII over Db minor is the Phrygian cadence.
What songs use Phrygian?
White Rabbit (Jefferson Airplane), flamenco, Metallica.