G Phrygian Dominant Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open C tuning — fretboard diagram
G Phrygian Dominant in Open C — Notes and Intervals
The G 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 G, Ab, B, C, D, Eb, F. 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: G, Ab, B, C, D, Eb, F
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: Open C (C-G-C-G-C-E)
Also known as: spanish, phrygian major
About Open C Tuning
Open C tuning (C-G-C-G-C-E) produces a C major chord when strummed open, with an enormous bass depth from the low C string (two whole steps below standard E). The tuning spans a vast tonal range that gives compositions an almost orchestral scope, making it a favorite for both delicate fingerstyle and crushing heavy music.
John Butler's 'Ocean' — one of the most famous modern fingerstyle compositions — is performed in Open C, showcasing the tuning's incredible dynamic range from thundering bass to shimmering harmonics. Devin Townsend uses Open C extensively across his catalog for its massive, wall-of-sound potential. Jimmy Page used it on Led Zeppelin's 'Friends' from Led Zeppelin III. Soundgarden also explored Open C. The three C strings and two G strings create powerful octave resonances that make even simple chord shapes sound huge.
Notable artists: John Butler, Devin Townsend, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Soundgarden, William Ackerman
Best for: Cinematic fingerstyle compositions, progressive metal walls of sound, post-rock textures, and any music that needs enormous tonal range from deep bass to bright treble
Musical Character
The major 3rd within a Phrygian framework (b2, b6, b7) creates a scale that sounds simultaneously 'eastern' and 'powerful'. The b2-3 interval (augmented 2nd) is its signature exotic leap.
Chord Progressions Using This Scale
- i – VII – VI – V (Andalusian Cadence)World / Flamenco — Tension & Drama
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- G Phrygian Dominant in Standard Tuning
- G Phrygian Dominant in Drop D
- G Phrygian Dominant in DADGAD
- G Phrygian Dominant in Open G
- G Phrygian Dominant in Baritone (B Standard)
- G Phrygian Dominant in 7-string
- G Phrygian Dominant in 8-string
- G Phrygian Dominant in Drop C
- G Phrygian Dominant in Drop B
- G Phrygian Dominant in Open D
- G Phrygian Dominant in Half Step Down
- G Phrygian Dominant in Open E
- G Phrygian Dominant in Open A
- G Phrygian Dominant in Double Drop D