Ab Romanian minor

Dorian with a raised 4th; the augmented 2nd between degrees 3 and 4 adds tension.

Octaves

Musical context

How the scale relates to the chord, mode, key and progression.

Theory

General info

Name
Ab Romanian minor
Family
Exotic scales
Note count
7
Step formula
W – H – W+H – H – W – H – W
Numeric formula
0-2-1-3-1-2-1-2

Notes & degrees

1Abroot
2Bbmajor 2nd
b3Cbminor 3rd
#4Daug 4th
5Ebperfect 5th
6Fmajor 6th
b7Gbminor 7th

Construction

Overview
Dorian with a raised 4th; the augmented 2nd between degrees 3 and 4 adds tension.
Application in music
Pairs with a minor tonic and has the same pitch collection as Ukrainian Dorian.
Interval formula
Ab
W
Bb
H
Cb
WH
D
H
Eb
W
F
H
Gb

Chords by degree

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IAbpoint of resttonic
IIICbdefines modal qualitythird
VEbsupports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

IAbAb
IIBbBb
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how Ab Romanian minor looks on guitar.

Explore

Circle of fifths

The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.

CAmGEmDBmAF#mEC#mBG#mF#D#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmAbmajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
4 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.

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Frequently Asked Questions