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SCALE · ON GUITAR

A Phrygian Dominant

Phrygian with a raised 3rd — Spanish, klezmer, flamenco, metal. 5th mode of harmonic minor.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
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Tempo120 bpm

Playback sounds an octave below the written notation — the instrument's concert (sounding) pitch.

Audio source: tonejs-instruments by Nick Brosowsky (MIT)

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 5 title A Phrygian Dominant Verovio
Tuning
FretboardTuning: AEADGBE
35791215AEADGBEAB♭C♯DEFGAB♭EFGAB♭C♯DEFGAB♭C♯DEFGAB♭DEFGAB♭C♯DEFGAB♭C♯DEFGAB♭C♯DEFGAB♭C♯DEFGAB♭C♯DEFG
Related scales
Diatonic chord harmonisation
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
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Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the A Phrygian Dominant scale?

The A Phrygian Dominant scale uses the notes A, B♭, C♯, D, E, F, G (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).

What's the Phrygian Dominant scale formula?

The Phrygian Dominant scale follows the interval pattern H W+H H W H W W, where W = whole step (2 semitones) and H = half step (1 semitone). Apply that pattern starting on A to get the A Phrygian Dominant scale.

What chords work over A Phrygian Dominant?

Phrygian dominant works over V7♭9♭13 of the parent harmonic minor. Spanish flamenco, klezmer, metal vocabulary.

How do I finger A Phrygian Dominant on Guitar?

On guitar, scales are typically learned as position patterns — three- or four-notes-per-string shapes that move up the neck. The CAGED system positions each scale in five interconnected patterns; the three-notes-per-string approach simplifies modal scales.

When would I use the Phrygian Dominant scale?

Phrygian with a raised 3rd — Spanish, klezmer, flamenco, metal. 5th mode of harmonic minor.