Phrygian Dominant Vamp (I bII)
The Phrygian dominant vamp is the chord progression I-bII. In the key of C major it is C Db, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 1 b2.
It is also known as Klezmer Freygish, Misirlou vamp.
Chords from outside the key of C major: Db.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
A major tonic with a major chord a half step above it. The major third on the tonic and the flat second together give Phrygian dominant, the fifth mode of harmonic minor and the Freygish scale of klezmer. It sounds Middle Eastern and Spanish, and Dick Dale carried it into surf rock.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unholy | Sam Smith and Kim Petras | verse and chorus | C# D | C# Phrygian |
| Montero (Call Me by Your Name) | Lil Nas X | chorus | D# E | D# Phrygian |
| White Rabbit | Jefferson Airplane | verse | F# G | F# Phrygian |
| Misirlou | Dick Dale | main theme | E F | E Phrygian |
| Pump It | Black Eyed Peas | intro | E F | E Phrygian |
Phrygian Dominant Vamp: Chords and Audio in C, G, D, A and E
Press play to hear each key. The diagrams show the shapes used in the audio, and every chord links to its full page.
More progressions like this one
- So What shift: Cm7 Dbm7
- Dorian shuttle: Cm F
- Dorian i-bVII-IV: Cm Bb F
- Minor i-bIII-IV: Cm Eb F
All guitar chord progressions →
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
FAQ
What are the chords of the Phrygian dominant vamp in each key?
In C major: C Db. In G major: G Ab. In D major: D Eb. In A major: A Bb. In E major: E F.
Which songs use the Phrygian dominant vamp?
Songs that use it include Unholy by Sam Smith and Kim Petras, Montero (Call Me by Your Name) by Lil Nas X, White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane.
