A phrygian mode
The A phrygian mode is A B♭ C D E F G: seven notes, dark, with a Spanish edge. Its formula is 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.
Make a beat in A minorOpens the free editor with a trap beat in A minor to play A phrygian over. No account needed to start.
The notes of A phrygian
From A up to A: half, whole, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. Tap a key to hear it.
A B♭ C D E F G A
| Degree | Note | From the root |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Root |
| ♭2 | B♭ | Minor second |
| ♭3 | C | Minor third |
| 4 | D | Perfect fourth |
| 5 | E | Perfect fifth |
| ♭6 | F | Minor sixth |
| ♭7 | G | Minor seventh |
How A phrygian is built
The F major scale played from its third note, A: the same notes with A as home. Against A minor, the minor scale on the same note, it has B♭ instead of B.
The major scale played from its third note: a minor scale with a lowered second. The half step above the root gives it the tense sound of flamenco and metal. The phrygian mode in every key.
Play A phrygian over a beat
A beat on the chords of A minor. Play the scale over it on the keyboard above, then open it in the editor and add your melody as its own part.
Questions about A phrygian
What notes are in the A phrygian mode?
A, B♭, C, D, E, F and G. Its formula is 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7, counted from the major scale on A, and its steps from A up to A are: half, whole, whole, whole, half, whole, whole.
What key is A phrygian in?
A phrygian uses the notes of F major, starting on its third note, A. The notes are the same; making A home is what gives it its own sound.
How is A phrygian different from A minor?
B♭ instead of B: one note of the A minor scale changes, and that note gives A phrygian its sound: dark, with a Spanish edge.
Phrygian mode in every key
More scales on A
Build a song in A phrygian
Start with the beat, then add chords, a melody and your voice in the editor, part by part.
Keep going
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