Explore scales · Guitar
A phrygian dominant scale on guitar
A phrygian dominant uses A, B♭, C♯, D, E, F, G. Its half-step opening and major third make Box 1 the fastest way to hear the Spanish sound.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the A phrygian dominant scale on guitar?
A phrygian dominant in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 16 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 0 and the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 1 | A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3 | C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A phrygian dominant in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 15 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to B♭ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 4, 5 | C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 6 | B♭, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5, 6 | D, E, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A phrygian dominant in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 15 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to B♭ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5, the D string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 6 | A, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7, 8 | D, E, F |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7 | C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 6, 8 | E, F, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 6 | A, B♭ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
A phrygian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 15 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 12 and the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 4 (D) | 11, 12 | C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 9, 10, 12 | E, F, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 11 | A, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
Why it sounds like that
Raise the third of A phrygian to C♯ and you get the major tonic that defines this scale. The formula is H, 1½, H, W, H, W, W, giving intervals 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. Compare it with A phrygian to hear the difference one note makes.
When to use it
Use it over A major or A 5th for a Phrygian dominant tonic sound. The ♭2 and ♭6 create tension over A major, while the major third keeps it bright. It fits flamenco, Middle Eastern, and metal progressions built on A.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on the sixth string, fifth fret, and the position covers frets 0–3, setting up the higher boxes.
Common questions
What notes are in A phrygian dominant?
The notes are A, B♭, C♯, D, E, F, G. The intervals are 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. It is a phrygian scale with a raised third.
Which chords fit A phrygian dominant?
The tonic chord is A major or A 5th. Other common chords are B♭ major, D minor, and G minor. The ♭2 and ♭6 create a Spanish flavour.
How is A phrygian dominant different from A phrygian?
A phrygian dominant has a major third (C♯), while A phrygian has a minor third (C). This changes the tonic chord from minor to major. The rest of the notes are identical.