A Phrygian
A minor diatonic mode with a minor 2nd above the tonic; a compact, tense sound.
Octaves
Musical context
How the scale relates to the chord, mode, key and progression.
Theory
General info
- Name
- A Phrygian
- Family
- Diatonic scales
- Note count
- 7
- Step formula
- H – W – W – W – H – W – W
- Numeric formula
- 0-1-2-2-2-1-2-2
Notes & degrees
1Aroot
b2Bbminor 2nd
b3Cminor 3rd
4Dperfect 4th
5Eperfect 5th
b6Fminor 6th
b7Gminor 7th
Construction
- Overview
- A minor diatonic mode with a minor 2nd above the tonic; a compact, tense sound.
- Application in music
- The bII – i move emphasises the lowered 2nd; the mode appears in flamenco and riff-based modal music.
- Interval formula
- AHBbWCWDWEHFWG
Chords by degree
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IApoint of resttonic
IIICdefines modal qualitythird
VEsupports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
IIICC
IVDD
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IAA
IIBbBb
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This scale on guitar 🎸
See how A Phrygian looks on guitar.
Circle of fifths
The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.
Connections
Practice
Keyboard Trainer
Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.