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