Notes in the A Phrygian Dominant scale
| Degree | Note | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Tonic |
| ♭2 | B♭ | Supertonic |
| 3 | C♯ | Mediant |
| 4 | D | Subdominant |
| 5 | E | Dominant |
| ♭6 | F | Submediant |
| ♭7 | G | Subtonic |
Each note uses a different letter name, so the spelling follows the scale rather than the keyboard: A B♭ C♯ D E F G.
A Phrygian Dominant scale formula
The pattern of steps from one note to the next is H – W+H – H – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step). Compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 ♭2 3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.
Chords in the A Phrygian Dominant scale
Stacking thirds on each note of the scale gives these chords:
| Degree | Triad | 7th chord |
|---|---|---|
| I | A | A7 |
| II | B♭ | B♭maj7 |
| iii° | C♯° | C♯°7 |
| iv | Dm | Dm(maj7) |
| v° | E° | Eø7 |
| VI+ | F+ | F7♯5 |
| vii | Gm | Gm7 |
Chord names link to guitar chord shapes where we have them.
How to practise the A Phrygian Dominant scale
Learn it as a variation of a scale you know and listen for the augmented second, the big step that gives it the sound. Play it over a drone on the root to hear the colour before you write with it.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes in the A Phrygian Dominant scale?
The notes of the A Phrygian Dominant scale are A B♭ C♯ D E F G.
What is the formula for the A Phrygian Dominant scale?
The pattern of whole and half steps is H – W+H – H – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step). In scale degrees: 1 ♭2 3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.
What chords are in the A Phrygian Dominant scale?
Built from the scale in triads: A, B♭, C♯°, Dm, E°, F+, Gm.
More A scales
A Major, A Natural Minor, A Harmonic Minor, A Melodic Minor, A Dorian, A Phrygian, A Lydian, A Mixolydian, A Locrian, A Major Pentatonic, A Minor Pentatonic, A Blues, A Lydian Dominant, A Altered, A Whole Tone, A Dorian ♭2, A Lydian Augmented, A Mixolydian ♭6, A Locrian ♯2, A Hungarian Minor, A Double Harmonic, A Diminished (W–H), A Diminished (H–W), A Bebop Dominant, A Bebop Major
Explore the full scales library, find a scale from notes with the scale finder, or see every chord in every key in the chord chart.