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E♯ Phrygian Scale

The E♯ Phrygian scale is the third mode of the C♯ 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 E♯ Phrygian scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.

E♯ Phrygian Scale Notes

The E♯ Phrygian mode contains the following notes:

E♯ – F♯ – G♯ – A♯ – B♯ – C♯ – D♯

These notes come directly from the C♯ major parent scale, starting on its 3rd degree (E♯).

E♯ Phrygian Piano Diagram

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

E♯ Phrygian Scale Formula and Intervals

The interval formula for the Phrygian mode is:

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

Applied to E♯, this gives us:

Thus, E♯ Phrygian is built with the following scale degrees:

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

Chords in the Key of E♯ Phrygian

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

Related Scales and Modes

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

E♯ Phrygian Scale FAQs

How is E♯ Phrygian different from E♯ natural minor?

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

What is the parent scale of E♯ Phrygian?

C♯ major. E♯ Phrygian uses the same notes as C♯ major, but starts on its third degree (E♯).

Summary: E♯ Phrygian Scale