Phrygian Dominant is the "Spanish scale" - a dominant scale with b2 and b6. It is the most commonly used mode of harmonic minor, heard in flamenco, Middle Eastern music, and jazz. The major 3rd with b2 creates its iconic sound.
Scale Formula
1 b2 3 4 5 b6 b7 - dominant with b2 and b6. Semitone pattern: H WH H W H W W
Fretboard (C Phrygian Dominant)
Toggle to interval view and notice the augmented 2nd gap between b2 and 3 - that 3-semitone jump is what gives this mode its exotic, non-Western character.
Common Chords
Major triad (1 3 5), Dominant 7th (1 3 5 b7), Dom 7b9 (1 3 5 b7 b9), Dom 7b9b13.
Diatonic Harmony
Improvisation Context
Play over dominant 7th (b9) chords, especially V7 resolving to minor. This is the standard scale for V7 in minor key ii-V-i progressions. Also used standalone in flamenco and surf rock.
Characteristic Note
The b2 (one fret above the root) is the signature sound. The combination of b2 with major 3rd creates the augmented 2nd interval that defines the "Spanish" or "Middle Eastern" flavor. In P4 tuning, the b2 sits one fret up on the same string as the root - an easy grab for ornamental slides and trills.
Practice
Play C Phrygian Dominant against a C7 drone. Focus on the b2-to-3 resolution - trill between Db and E to hear the augmented 2nd. Then practice the scale over a V7-to-im progression (G7 to Cm): play G Phrygian Dominant over the G7 and resolve to C minor. The b2 of G Phrygian Dominant (Ab) resolves down to G, while the major 3rd (B) resolves up to C - strong voice leading that pulls you into the tonic.