A Phrygian ♭4 scale
The A Phrygian ♭4 scale is made of the notes A, B♭, C, D♭, E, F, G. It has 7 notes; compared with the major scale its formula is 1 ♭2 ♭3 ♭4 5 ♭6 ♭7.
Modes of the harmonic major · 7 notes
- 1A
- ♭2B♭
- ♭3C
- ♭4D♭
- 5E
- ♭6F
- ♭7G
PatternH – W – H – W+H – H – W – W(W = whole step, H = half step)
The seven scales you get by starting from each degree of the harmonic major: less common colours, for half-diminished, diminished and 7♭9 dominant chords. Degrees are shown relative to the major scale: ♭3 is the third lowered by a half step, ♯4 the fourth raised.
Mode and chords
The third mode of the harmonic major: a Phrygian scale with a diminished 4th, which sounds like a major 3rd. It has a dark, Spanish colour, close to the Phrygian dominant.
The A Phrygian ♭4 scale is mode 3 of the F harmonic major scale: the same notes, starting from degree 3. F harmonic major scale →
Put it into practice
The scale played in thirds over one octave: one of the exercises MEG generates from this scale.
This scale is not part of the demo: in the MEG app you will find it in every key, with 24 patterns.
Chords built on the scale
Frequently asked questions
- What are the notes of the A Phrygian ♭4 scale?
- The notes are A, B♭, C, D♭, E, F, G.
- What is the pattern of the A Phrygian ♭4 scale?
- The sequence of steps is H – W – H – W+H – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step); compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 ♭2 ♭3 ♭4 5 ♭6 ♭7.
- Which scale is the A Phrygian ♭4 scale a mode of?
- It is mode 3 of the F harmonic major scale.
- Which chords is the A Phrygian ♭4 scale used over?
- It is used over A7, A7♯5, Am7: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.