Spanish Dominant Scale Guitar Patterns- Fretboard Chart, Key of E

by Jay Skyler

Guitar Lesson Summary & Chart Explanation

Spanish Dominant

This scale is sometimes called the Jewish Scale or the Phrygian Dominant Scale or the Spanish Phrygian scale or simply The Spanish Scale. It is also sometimes called the Spanish Gypsy Scale, but see below for why I don't.

To be 100% honest, in real life I've heard it called "Fifth Mode of Harmonic Minor" more than anything else.

Spanish Dominant is the fifth mode of Harmonic Minor.

This is a somewhat exotic sounding scale. Flatting the third scale degree gives us the Spanish minor scale. Raising the seventh scale degree gives us the Double-Harmonic or Arabic scale.

If you are looking for a very Metal sounding scale with a 3, this one will get the job done. In fact I consider this a Must-Learn scale for intermediate to advanced Metal guitarists.

Notes:

E F G# A B C D

Scale Degrees:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Alternative Names:

Fretboard Diagram showing the 5 CAGED Scale Positions of the Spanish Dominant Scale. It is in the dominant family of chord and scale qualities and is the fifth mode of Harmonic Minor. Also called the Phrygian Dominant, or Jewish Scale.

Note: This scale is often referred to as the Spanish Gypsy scale. Gypsy (with a capital G) typically references Europe's Roma (or Romani) population, many of whom consider it an offensive term, if not an outright racial slur. In the United States, guitarists often have a more positive view of the term as we tend to associate it with Jimi Hendrix and 15 minute long psychedelic guitar solos. Regardless, this site will use the far more accurate, descriptive, and non-offensive name Spanish Dominant Scale.. Considering how many names this scale has, it seems absurd to hang onto a derogatory one.