Learn the A Phrygian scale — notes, intervals, chords, modes, and more.
The A Phrygian scale contains the following notes:
A – B♭ – C – D – E – F – GThe scale degrees of the A Phrygian scale are:
1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7| Scale Degree | Note |
|---|---|
| 1 | A |
| ♭2 | B♭ |
| ♭3 | C |
| 4 | D |
| 5 | E |
| ♭6 | F |
| ♭7 | G |
The A Phrygian scale uses the interval pattern H, W, W, W, H, W, W
| From | To | Step |
|---|---|---|
| A | B♭ | H |
| B♭ | C | W |
| C | D | W |
| D | E | W |
| E | F | H |
| F | G | W |
| G | A | W |
| Scale Degree | Note | Interval from A |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Perfect Unison |
| ♭2 | B♭ | Minor 2nd |
| ♭3 | C | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | D | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | E | Perfect 5th |
| ♭6 | F | Minor 6th |
| ♭7 | G | Minor 7th |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i | Am | A, C, E |
| II | B♭ | B♭, D, F |
| III | C | C, E, G |
| iv | Dm | D, F, A |
| v° | Edim | E, G, B♭ |
| VI | F | F, A, C |
| vii | Gm | G, B♭, D |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i7 | Am7 | A, C, E, G |
| IImaj7 | B♭maj7 | B♭, D, F, A |
| III7 | C7 | C, E, G, B♭ |
| iv7 | Dm7 | D, F, A, C |
| vø7 | Em7♭5 | E, G, B♭, D |
| VImaj7 | Fmaj7 | F, A, C, E |
| vii7 | Gm7 | G, B♭, D, F |
The modes of A Phrygian use the same notes but start on different scale degrees.
| Mode | Starting note | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| F Ionian | F | F, G, A, B♭, C, D, E |
| G Dorian | G | G, A, B♭, C, D, E, F |
| A Phrygian | A | A, B♭, C, D, E, F, G |
| B♭ Lydian | B♭ | B♭, C, D, E, F, G, A |
| C Mixolydian | C | C, D, E, F, G, A, B♭ |
| D Aeolian | D | D, E, F, G, A, B♭, C |
| E Locrian | E | E, F, G, A, B♭, C, D |
A Phrygian is the 3rd mode of the F major scale. Both share the same 7 notes — Phrygian starts on the 3rd degree (A) instead of the root (F).
The only difference is the 2nd degree. A Phrygian has a minor 2nd (B♭), while A natural minor has a major 2nd. That flat 2nd is Phrygian's defining characteristic — it gives the scale its distinctively dark, tense sound.