Position 3 of 7 · Phrygian Mode · Key of C♯

C♯ Phrygian Mode

Spanish/Flamenco scale

The C♯ Phrygian is the 3rd mode of the C# Major scale. It has a dark, tense, spanish, flamenco, exotic, mysterious character. On guitar it appears at Position 3 in the fretboard pattern — root note C#.

Notes in the C♯ Phrygian

C# · D · E · F# · G# · A · B

Step Formula

W = Whole step (2 frets) · H = Half step (1 fret)

H W W W H W W

Intervals

1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7

Sound CharacterDark, tense, Spanish, Flamenco, exotic, mysterious

Parent Major ScaleC# Major — C♯ Phrygian shares the same notes as C# Major but starts on C#

Best Used InFlamenco, Metal, Spanish Music, Film Scores

Famous ExamplesFlamenco guitar, White Zombie, Metallica, Spanish classical

Key insight: The ♭2 (half step from root) defines Phrygian. That single interval creates the Spanish/Middle Eastern tension.

The 5 Missing Notes™ — Beyond C♯ Phrygian

The C♯ Phrygian is one of 7 diatonic modes in the Dead Sea Scales system. Using the 5 Missing Notes™ framework, each mode generates 7 extended variations — giving you access to all 42 total modes in any key including C♯.

Same Mode, Every Key

The Phrygian pattern is identical in every key — the formula never changes. Explore the same mode in other keys:

Hear the C♯ Phrygian on a live fretboard

Select key C♯ · Mode Phrygian · Play notes with audio · See all 42 exotic variations

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C♯ Phrygian Mode

Notes in the C♯ Phrygian

Step Formula

Intervals

The 5 Missing Notes™ — Beyond C♯ Phrygian

Same Mode, Every Key

Hear the C♯ Phrygian on a live fretboard

DEEP DIVES