A♭ Phrygian Scale
The A♭ Phrygian scale is the third mode of the F♭ major scale, giving it a distinctive dark, exotic, and tense sound commonly used in flamenco, metal, jazz, and cinematic music.
This page covers everything you need to know about the A♭ Phrygian scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.
A♭ Phrygian Scale Notes
The A♭ Phrygian mode contains the following notes:
A♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ – D♭ – E♭ – F♭ – G♭These notes come directly from the F♭ major parent scale, starting on its 3rd degree (A♭).
A♭ Phrygian Piano Diagram
This diagram highlights which keys belong to the A♭ Phrygian scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and characteristic tones such as the flat 2 (B♭♭), which gives this scale its signature sound.
A♭ Phrygian Scale Formula and Intervals
The interval formula for the Phrygian mode is:
Half – Whole – Whole – Whole – Half – Whole – WholeApplied to A♭, this gives us:
- A♭ → B♭♭
- B♭♭ → C♭
- C♭ → D♭
- D♭ → E♭
- E♭ → F♭
- F♭ → G♭
- G♭ → A♭
Thus, A♭ Phrygian is built with the following scale degrees:
- Root (A♭)
- Minor 2nd (B♭♭)
- Minor 3rd (C♭)
- Perfect 4th (D♭)
- Perfect 5th (E♭)
- Minor 6th (F♭)
- Minor 7th (G♭)
This structure gives the Phrygian mode its characteristic minor quality combined with a distinctive lowered 2nd.
Chords in the Key of A♭ Phrygian
When stacking thirds on each scale degree of the A♭ Phrygian scale, the following diatonic chords emerge:
- A♭ minor (i)
- B♭♭ major (II)
- C♭ major (III)
- D♭ minor (iv)
- E♭ diminished (v°)
- F♭ major (VI)
- G♭ minor (vii)
Related Scales and Modes
If you enjoy the sound of A♭ Phrygian, you may also like:
- A♭ Phrygian Dominant (Phrygian with a major 3rd)
- A♭ Natural Minor (Aeolian)
- A♭ Locrian
- F♭ Major (parent scale)
A♭ Phrygian Scale FAQs
How is A♭ Phrygian different from A♭ natural minor?
A♭ Phrygian has a minor 2nd (B♭♭) while A♭ natural minor has a major 2nd (B♭). These two scales are otherwise identical.
What is the parent scale of A♭ Phrygian?
F♭ major. A♭ Phrygian uses the same notes as F♭ major, but starts on its third degree (A♭).
Summary: A♭ Phrygian Scale
- Notes: A♭, B♭♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F♭, G♭
- Mode: 3rd mode of F♭ major
- Formula: H, W, W, W, H, W, W