A Phrygian Dominant Scale
Listen plays the scale. Play Along lights up each note in order so you can follow.
A – B♭ – C♯ – D – E – F – G – A
Formula:H-A2-H-W-H-W-W
Intervals:P1-m2-M3-P4-P5-m6-m7
Introduction
The A Phrygian Dominant scale contains seven notes: A, B♭, C♯, D, E, F, and G. It follows the whole-step / half-step pattern H-A2-H-W-H-W-W.
A Phrygian Dominant Scale Notes
| Degree | Name | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | A | P1 |
| 2 | Supertonic | B♭ | m2 |
| 3 | Mediant | C♯ | M3 |
| 4 | Subdominant | D | P4 |
| 5 | Dominant | E | P5 |
| 6 | Submediant | F | m6 |
| 7 | Leading Tone | G | m7 |
| 8 | Octave | A | — |
Key Signature
The key of A Phrygian Dominant has 3 sharps.
F♯C♯G♯
Order of sharps
Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Chords in the Key of A Phrygian Dominant Scale
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the A Phrygian Dominant Scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — A Major (major)
A Phrygian Dominant Scale — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the A Phrygian Dominant Scale?
The A Phrygian Dominant Scale contains seven notes: A – Bb – C# – D – E – F – G. The notes table above shows each note with its scale degree and interval from the root.
How many sharps or flats does A Phrygian Dominant have?
The key of A Phrygian Dominant has 3 sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯. Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order — F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯, B♯ — so each new sharp key adds the next sharp on that list.
What does the A Phrygian Dominant Scale sound like?
The A Phrygian Dominant Scale has a dark Spanish/flamenco character driven by the lowered second degree. As a mode, it shares notes with a parent major scale but feels different because a different note acts as the tonal center.
Related Tools
Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.