A♯ Phrygian Dominant at a glance
Phrygian dominant is the signature scale of flamenco, klezmer and middle-eastern modes. You'll also hear it in metal solos for that exotic, aggressive sound. Built on the root A♯, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where A♯ is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | A♯ B C𝄪 D♯ E♯ F♯ G♯ |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2m · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7m |
| Step pattern | H W+H H W H W W |
| Chords in the key | A♯BC𝄪°D♯mE♯°F♯+G♯m |
Chords in the A♯ Phrygian Dominant scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
A♯ Phrygian Dominant on the piano
Improvisation drone · A♯
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano A♯ Phrygian Dominant uses four black keys (A♯, D♯, F♯ and G♯) and three white. C𝄪 and E♯ are the white keys you'd normally call D and F.
A♯ · B · C𝄪 · D♯ · E♯ · F♯ · G♯
Play A♯ Phrygian Dominant on the online piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
A♯ Phrygian Dominant on the guitar
A♯ Phrygian Dominant - fr 0–12
A♯ Phrygian Dominant on the staff
Notes of the A♯ Phrygian Dominant scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A♯ | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | B | minor 2nd2m | 1 | |
| 3 | C𝄪 | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | D♯ | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | E♯ | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | F♯ | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | G♯ | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes A♯ Phrygian Dominant different
Phrygian dominant is Phrygian with a major third, and that third is the one note separating the two. It's the fifth mode of harmonic minor, so its tonic is the major V chord of a minor key; E Phrygian dominant is the V of A minor. The half step from ♭2 to 1, next to the augmented second between ♭2 and 3, gives it its flamenco and klezmer sound. With the ♭7 added its tonic chord becomes a dominant seventh, which is why it's played over V7 in minor keys. On A♯, A♯ Phrygian Dominant has C𝄪 where A♯ Phrygian has C♯; every other note is shared with A♯ Phrygian (A♯ B C♯ D♯ E♯ F♯ G♯).
How to use the A♯ Phrygian Dominant scale
The diatonic chords of A♯ Phrygian Dominant are: I = A♯, II = B, iii° = C𝄪°, iv = D♯m, v° = E♯°, VI+ = F♯+, vii = G♯m. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in A♯ Phrygian Dominant. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own diagram and progressions.
Phrygian dominant is the signature scale of flamenco, klezmer and middle-eastern modes. You'll also hear it in metal solos for that exotic, aggressive sound.
Practice tips
Spend time on that half-step move from root to flat second. It's the most recognisable feature of phrygian dominant.
Formula & step pattern
The A♯ Phrygian Dominant scale follows the fifth mode of harmonic minor: H-W+H-H-W-H-W-W with a major third over a flat second. Step pattern: H - W+H - H - W - H - W - W. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2m · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7m. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Where you will hear A♯ Phrygian Dominant
Start with the music described above: listen for A♯ Phrygian Dominant in it and transcribe a few short phrases by ear. It's the quickest way to learn how the scale sounds.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the A♯ Phrygian Dominant scale?
The A♯ Phrygian Dominant scale contains A♯, B, C𝄪, D♯, E♯, F♯ and G♯.
What is the formula for the A♯ Phrygian Dominant scale?
A♯ Phrygian Dominant follows the fifth mode of harmonic minor: H-W+H-H-W-H-W-W with a major third over a flat second.
Is A♯ Phrygian Dominant a major or minor scale?
A♯ Phrygian Dominant is a phrygian dominant scale. Phrygian with a major third - flamenco, klezmer and middle-eastern signature sound.
What chords belong to the A♯ Phrygian Dominant scale?
The diatonic chords of A♯ Phrygian Dominant are A♯, B, C𝄪°, D♯m, E♯°, F♯+, G♯m.
Which genres use A♯ Phrygian Dominant?
Phrygian dominant is the signature scale of flamenco, klezmer and middle-eastern modes. You'll also hear it in metal solos for that exotic, aggressive sound.
How do you play the A♯ Phrygian Dominant scale on the piano?
On the piano A♯ Phrygian Dominant uses four black keys (A♯, D♯, F♯ and G♯) and three white. C𝄪 and E♯ are the white keys you'd normally call D and F.
What is the difference between A♯ Phrygian Dominant and A♯ Phrygian?
On A♯, A♯ Phrygian Dominant has C𝄪 where A♯ Phrygian has C♯; every other note is shared with A♯ Phrygian (A♯ B C♯ D♯ E♯ F♯ G♯).
How do I practise the A♯ Phrygian Dominant scale?
Spend time on that half-step move from root to flat second. It's the most recognisable feature of phrygian dominant.