A♯ Phrygian Scale

The A♯ Phrygian scale is the 3rd 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 scale contains the following notes:

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 the overall shape of the scale on the keyboard.

A♯ Phrygian Scale Formula and Intervals

The interval formula for the Phrygian scale is:

Applied 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 flat 2nd.

Chords in the Key of A♯ Phrygian

When stacking thirds on each scale degree of the A♯ Phrygian scale, the following diatonic triads 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 playing in A♯ Phrygian, you may also like:

• A♯ Phrygian Dominant (Phrygian with a major 3rd)
• A♯ minor
• 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♯).

What is the parent scale of A♯ Phrygian?

F♯ major. A♯ Phrygian uses the same notes as F♯ major, but starts on its 3rd 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