A♭ Phrygian Dominant Scale
The A♭ Phrygian Dominant scale is the 5th mode of the D♭ harmonic minor scale. It is known by many names, including A♭ harmonic dominant, A♭ altered Phrygian, A♭ dominant ♭2 ♭6, and A♭ Mixolydian ♭9 ♭13.
Characterized by its exotic combination of a flat 2nd and major 3rd, the Phrygian Dominant scale can be heard in many genres across the globe. Flamenco, Jewish, Indian, Eastern European, and Greek music all feature this scale in some capacity.
This page covers everything you need to know about the A♭ Phrygian Dominant scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.
A♭ Phrygian Dominant Scale Notes
The A♭ Phrygian Dominant scale contains the following notes:
A♭ – B♭♭ – C – D♭ – E♭ – F♭ – G♭These notes come directly from the D♭ harmonic minor parent scale, starting on its 5th degree (A♭).
A♭ Phrygian Dominant Piano Diagram
This diagram highlights which keys belong to the A♭ Phrygian Dominant scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and the overall shape of the scale on the keyboard.
A♭ Phrygian Dominant Scale Formula and Intervals
The interval formula for the Phrygian Dominant scale is:
H – A2 – H – W – H – W – WApplied to A♭, this gives us:
- A♭ → B♭♭
- B♭♭ → C
- C → D♭
- D♭ → E♭
- E♭ → F♭
- F♭ → G♭
- G♭ → A♭
Thus, A♭ Phrygian Dominant is built with the following scale degrees:
- Root (A♭)
- Minor 2nd (B♭♭)
- Major 3rd (C)
- Perfect 4th (D♭)
- Perfect 5th (E♭)
- Minor 6th (F♭)
- Minor 7th (G♭)
This structure gives the Phrygian Dominant scale its characteristic sound, due in large part to the unique juxtaposition of the minor 2nd with the major 3rd.
Chords in the Key of A♭ Phrygian Dominant
When stacking thirds on each scale degree of the A♭ Phrygian Dominant scale, the following diatonic triads emerge:
- A♭ major (I)
- B♭♭ major (II)
- C diminished (iii°)
- D♭ minor (iv)
- E♭ diminished (v°)
- F♭ augmented (VI+)
- G♭ minor (vii)
Related Scales and Modes
If you enjoy playing in A♭ Phrygian Dominant, you may also like:
- A♭ Phrygian (A♭ Phrygian Dominant with a flat 3rd)
- A♭ Mixolydian (A♭ Phrygian Dominant with a natural 2nd and 6th)
- D♭ harmonic minor (parent scale)
A♭ Phrygian Dominant Scale FAQs
How is A♭ Phrygian Dominant different from A♭ Phrygian?
A♭ Phrygian Dominant has a major 3rd (C), while A♭ Phrygian has a minor 3rd (C♭).
How is A♭ Phrygian Dominant different from A♭ Mixolydian?
A♭ Phrygian Dominant has a minor 2nd (B♭♭) and a minor 6th (F♭), while A♭ Mixolydian has a major 2nd (B♭) and a major 6th (F).
What is the parent scale of A♭ Phrygian Dominant?
D♭ harmonic minor. A♭ Phrygian Dominant uses the same notes as D♭ harmonic minor, but starts on its 5th degree (A♭).
Summary: A♭ Phrygian Dominant Scale
- Notes: A♭, B♭♭, C, D♭, E♭, F♭, G♭
- Mode: 5th mode of D♭ harmonic minor
- Formula: H, A2, H, W, H, W, W