C♯ Phrygian Scale (C#)
The C# Phrygian scale contains C# – D – E – F# – G# – A – B. It uses 3 sharps: F#, C# and G#.
C# Phrygian scale chart
Sharps and flats
C# Phrygian has 3 sharps: F#, C# and G#. Its parent major scale is A major, which uses the same notes. See the chords in the key of A major.
Scale degrees
| Degree | Note | Semitones from C# |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C# | 0 |
| b2 | D | 1 |
| b3 | E | 3 |
| 4 | F# | 5 |
| 5 | G# | 7 |
| b6 | A | 8 |
| b7 | B | 10 |
Step pattern
The Phrygian scale is built from the pattern H – W – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step). Apply that pattern from any starting note and you get the same mode in a different key.
Chords in C# Phrygian
Building a triad on each degree of the scale gives you the chords that belong to it. These are the chords to reach for when writing in C# Phrygian.
| Degree | Numeral | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | i | C#m | C# E G# |
| 2 | II | D | D F# A |
| 3 | III | E | E G# B |
| 4 | iv | F#m | F# A C# |
| 5 | v° | G#dim | G# B D |
| 6 | VI | A | A C# E |
| 7 | vii | Bm | B D F# |
Other modes on C#
More scales on C#
Phrygian scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C# Phrygian scale?
The C# Phrygian scale contains C#, D, E, F#, G#, A, B, then returns to C# an octave higher.
How many sharps are in C# Phrygian?
C# Phrygian has 3 sharps: F#, C# and G#.
What is the step pattern of the Phrygian scale?
The Phrygian scale follows the whole/half step pattern H – W – W – W – H – W – W, where W is a whole step (two semitones) and H is a half step (one semitone).
Which chords work with the C# Phrygian scale?
The diatonic chords are C#m, D, E, F#m, G#dim, A, Bm. Each is built only from notes of the C# Phrygian scale, so they all belong to the same tonality — though the diminished chord carries a tritone and normally wants to resolve.