Phrygian dominant scale

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The Phrygian dominant scale, also called harmonic minor perfect fifth below (in jazz) or hijaz (in Arabic music), is constructed by raising the third of the Phrygian mode and is the fifth mode of the harmonic minor scale, the fifth being the dominant. It has the word "dominant" in its name because like the dominant seventh chord it has a major 3rd note and a flattened 7th note.

It is often known as a Spanish Phrygian scale or Spanish gypsy scale, and is commonly used in flamenco music. It is also known as Ahava Rabboh or Freygish when used in Hebrew prayers and Klezmer music (earning it the additional title of the Jewish scale), or as the Hijaz maqam when used in Turkish or Arabic music. Often, it has found application in modern progressive rock/metal, having been utilized notably by the band Dream Theater, and by Joe Satriani, who cites the Phrygian dominant as his favorite scale, along with Fred Ardiel, formerly a guitar teacher in the Capilano University Jazz Studies program. The scale is unusual as the interval between the second and third degrees is an augmented second - giving it a "patchy" quality, like its sister, the harmonic minor scale.

The sequence of steps comprising the Phrygian dominant scale is

• half – augmented – half – whole – half – whole – whole

When related to the scale degrees of the major scale, it reads like so:

1 - b2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - b6 - b7 - 1

Beginning on C, the scale is as follows: C - D♭ - E - F - G - A♭ - B♭ - C

When the Freygish scale is used in Klezmer music, the 6th degree may not be flattened if it is melodically approached and left from above.^[1]

Examples in popular music

Metallica's Kirk Hammett has been known to use the Phrygian scale, most notably in the solo for "Wherever I May Roam" and "Eye of the Beholder".

British heavy metal band Iron Maiden's "Powerslave" uses both the Phrygian and Phrygian Dominant scales to emphasize the song's Egyptian theme.

"Miserlou," though predominantly in the very similar double harmonic scale (E-F-G♯-A-B-C-D♯), has a portion written in the Phrygian dominant scale, with a D natural being played as the scale descends.

"YYZ" by Rush uses the Spanish Phrygian scale in the solo.

Latin superstar Shakira's 'Ojos Así' is based in the Phrygian dominant scale to help lend to the song's famous Arabian feel.

North Carolina Metal band Between the Buried and Me uses the Phrygian scale in the first section of "Informal Gluttony" on their album Colors.

Swedish Progressive Metal band Opeth uses the Phrygian Dominant scale throughout their song "Master's Apprentices" on their album Deliverance.^[2]

The main riff from Faith No More's 'Epic' uses this scale.

The solo in Ozzy's Over the Mountain also uses this scale.

The main riff from Nile's "Kem Khefa Kheshef" song from their album Those Whom the Gods Detest

Seattle Deathcore band I Declare War uses the Phrygian dominant scale in the second half of "Asphyxiation" on their album Amidst the Bloodshed.

External links

• Miguel Bengoa Scale theory and flamenco
• Miguel Bengoa Flamenco scales tablature
• http://www.budowitz.com/+Main_Klezmer_Modes.html

Notes

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