D# Phrygian Cavaquinho Scale
Cavaquinho scale in Standard tuning — fretboard diagram
D# Phrygian in Standard — Notes and Intervals
The D# Phrygian scale is the third mode of the major scale, defined by its immediate dark and tense character. On Cavaquinho, its notes are D#, E, F#, G#, A#, B, C#. It has a strong Spanish or ethnic flavor, making it the definitive sound of Flamenco. In modern contexts, it is widely used in heavy metal to create an aggressive, brooding atmosphere. The diatonic chords of D# Phrygian are D#m7, EMaj7, F#7, G#m7, A#m7b5, BMaj7, C#m7. Commonly used in Flamenco, Metal, Djent, Middle Eastern. Notable players include Al Di Meola, Metallica, Meshuggah, Paco de Lucia. Use over sus(b9), m7 chords in Phrygian contexts. Often played over a droning root note or power chord. The b2 → 1 resolution is the mode's signature move.
Notes: D#, E, F#, G#, A#, B, C#
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6m, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Formula: H-W-W-W-H-W-W
Number of notes: 7
Tuning: Standard (D-B-G-D)
Diatonic Chords
D♯m7 — EMaj7 — F♯7 — G♯m7 — A♯m7♭5 — BMaj7 — C♯m7