Guitar Scale Logic

Interactive Guitar Scale Finder

Guitar Scale Logic

C Phrygian Dominant Guitar Scale in Open C

Phrygian Dominant scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Open C.

Formula 1 b2 3 4 5 b6 b7
Tuning E C G C G C
Scale Notes 7 notes

Interactive fretboard

Scale Map

Root notes are highlighted in amber. Use the buttons to isolate each five-fret position.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
E E
F
G
G#
A#
C
C#
E
F
G
G#
A#
C
C#
C C
C#
E
F
G
G#
A#
C
C#
E
F
G
G#
A#
G G
G#
A#
C
C#
E
F
G
G#
A#
C
C#
E
F
C C
C#
E
F
G
G#
A#
C
C#
E
F
G
G#
A#
G G
G#
A#
C
C#
E
F
G
G#
A#
C
C#
E
F
C C
C#
E
F
G
G#
A#
C
C#
E
F
G
G#
A#
Root Note Scale Note

Scale Tablature

Position 1

E|---------------------------------------|
C|------------------------------------0--|
G|---------------------------0--1--3-----|
C|------------------0--1--4--------------|
G|---------0--1--3-----------------------|
C|0--1--4--------------------------------|

Pattern shows scale notes in 0-4 frets for position 1.

Theory & Context

Why This Shape Works

C Phrygian Dominant in Open C tuning puts the notes C, C#, E, F, G, G#, A# under your fingers in a layout that feels bright inside a dark frame, with a strong Middle Eastern pull. Open C delivers a large low register and a clear major framework, so the neck feels expansive and modern, especially for layered strumming and alternate-picked melody. On this page you can switch between all visible notes or five smaller positions, study a pre-rendered tab pattern for each zone and match the sound against chords that stay inside the scale. Because the interval formula is 1 b2 3 4 5 b6 b7, every diagram here is generated from exact semitone math instead of guessed text. Start with Position 1 to lock in the tonic, then connect Positions 2 and 3 so you can move into riffs, lead fills and improvised phrases without losing the key center.

Overview

Phrygian Dominant sounds bright inside a dark frame, with a strong Middle Eastern pull and is especially useful for metal leads, flamenco-inspired riffs and dramatic dominant vamps. Open C feels huge, modern and harmonically rich.

Pro Tip

Emphasize the jump from b2 to 3 to define the mode instantly. In Open C, it adds width without losing too much melodic clarity.

  • C
  • C#
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • G#
  • A#

Suggested Chords

Works Well With This Scale

Chord options generated from the same note pool.

  • C7dominant 7
  • Cmajor
  • Csus4sus4
  • C5power
  • C#major
  • C#5power
  • C#mminor
  • Fsus4sus4
  • F5power
  • Fmminor

Related Pages

Related Scales