D Phrygian Scale

The D Phrygian scale is the third mode of the B♭ major scale, giving it a distinctive dark, exotic, and tense sound commonly used in flamenco, metal, jazz, and cinematic music.

This page covers everything you need to know about the D Phrygian scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.

D Phrygian Scale Notes

The D Phrygian mode contains the following notes:

D – E♭ – F – G – A – B♭ – C

These notes come directly from the B♭ major parent scale, starting on its 3rd degree (D).

D Phrygian Piano Diagram

This diagram highlights which keys belong to the D Phrygian scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and characteristic tones such as the flat 2 (E♭), which gives this scale its signature sound.

D Phrygian Scale Formula and Intervals

The interval formula for the Phrygian mode is:

Half – Whole – Whole – Whole – Half – Whole – Whole

Applied to D, this gives us:

D → E♭
E♭ → F
F → G
G → A
A → B♭
B♭ → C
C → D

Thus, D Phrygian is built with the following scale degrees:

Root (D)
Minor 2nd (E♭)
Minor 3rd (F)
Perfect 4th (G)
Perfect 5th (A)
Minor 6th (B♭)
Minor 7th (C)

This structure gives the Phrygian mode its characteristic minor quality combined with a distinctive lowered 2nd.

Chords in the Key of D Phrygian

When stacking thirds on each scale degree of the D Phrygian scale, the following diatonic chords emerge:

D minor (i)
E♭ major (II)
F major (III)
G minor (iv)
A diminished (v°)
B♭ major (VI)
C minor (vii)

Related Scales and Modes

If you enjoy the sound of D Phrygian, you may also like:

D Phrygian Dominant (Phrygian with a major 3rd)
D Natural Minor (Aeolian)
D Locrian
B♭ Major (parent scale)

D Phrygian Scale FAQs

How is D Phrygian different from D natural minor?

D Phrygian has a minor 2nd (E♭) while D natural minor has a major 2nd (E). These two scales are otherwise identical.

What is the parent scale of D Phrygian?

B♭ major. D Phrygian uses the same notes as B♭ major, but starts on its third degree (D).

Summary: D Phrygian Scale

Notes: D, E♭, F, G, A, B♭, C
Mode: 3rd mode of B♭ major
Formula: H, W, W, W, H, W, W