B Phrygian Dominant Guitar Scale — 7-string
Guitar scale in 7-string tuning — fretboard diagram
B Phrygian Dominant in 7-string — Notes and Intervals
The B Phrygian Dominant scale, also known as the Spanish Gypsy scale, is the definitive sound of Flamenco, Klezmer, and Middle Eastern music. On Guitar, the notes are B, C, D#, E, F#, G, A. It sounds exotic, passionate, and aggressive, and is a favorite for metal guitarists and composers of high-drama scores. Commonly used in Flamenco, Metal, Middle Eastern, Klezmer, Film Scores. Notable players include Marty Friedman, Paco de Lucia, Ritchie Blackmore, Al Di Meola. Use over dominant chords in flamenco/metal contexts, especially V7 in harmonic minor. The go-to for 'Spanish' or 'Arabic' sounding lines.
Notes: B, C, D#, E, F#, G, A
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3M, 4P, 5P, 6m, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 5 b6 b7
Formula: H-WH-H-W-H-W-W
Number of notes: 7
Tuning: 7-string (B-E-A-D-G-B-E)
Also known as: spanish, phrygian major
About 7-string Tuning
The 7-string guitar adds a low B string below the standard 6-string tuning (B-E-A-D-G-B-E), extending the instrument's range into bass territory. This extra low end has become essential in progressive metal, djent, and modern heavy music, enabling crushing low-end riffs while maintaining access to standard guitar voicings on the upper strings.
Pioneered by jazz guitarist George Van Eps and later brought into the metal mainstream by Steve Vai and Korn, the 7-string guitar has become a staple of modern heavy music. Players like Tosin Abasi, Misha Mansoor, and John Petrucci have pushed the instrument's capabilities into new territory, using the extended range for complex harmonic progressions, polyrhythmic riffs, and sweeping arpeggios that span an enormous tonal range.
Notable artists: Dream Theater, Periphery, Animals as Leaders, Korn, Meshuggah
Best for: Progressive metal riffs, extended-range chord voicings, djent rhythms, and jazz fusion harmony
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- B Phrygian Dominant in Standard Tuning
- B Phrygian Dominant in Drop D
- B Phrygian Dominant in DADGAD
- B Phrygian Dominant in Open G
- B Phrygian Dominant in Baritone (B Standard)
- B Phrygian Dominant in 8-string
- B Phrygian Dominant in Drop C
- B Phrygian Dominant in Drop B
- B Phrygian Dominant in Open D
- B Phrygian Dominant in Half Step Down
- B Phrygian Dominant in Open E
- B Phrygian Dominant in Open A
- B Phrygian Dominant in Double Drop D
- B Phrygian Dominant in Open C