Explore scales · Ukulele
A♭ phrygian dominant scale on ukulele
A♭ phrygian dominant uses A♭, B♭♭, C, D♭, E♭, F♭, G♭. Box 1 has roots on string 4, fret 1 and string 2, fret 4.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the A♭ phrygian dominant scale on ukulele?
A♭ phrygian dominant in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 9 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 2 | A♭, B♭♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 3 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 0, 2 | F♭, G♭ |
| 1 (A) | 0, 3 | B♭♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A♭ phrygian dominant in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the C string at fret 3 up to E♭ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the E string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 6 | C, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 4, 6 | E♭, F♭, G♭ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 5 | A♭, B♭♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
A♭ phrygian dominant in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 11 notes across 4 strings, from G♭ on the C string at fret 6 up to G♭ on the A string at fret 9. The root falls on the C string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 8, 9 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 3 (C) | 6, 8, 9 | G♭, A♭, B♭♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9 | C, D♭ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 7, 9 | E♭, F♭, G♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A♭ phrygian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 10 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the C string at fret 8 up to A♭ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the C string at fret 8 and the A string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 9, 11 | E♭, F♭, G♭ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 9 | A♭, B♭♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 9, 11 | G♭, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
Build it from A♭ phrygian by raising C♭ to C. The half-step A♭–B♭♭ and augmented second B♭♭–C create the signature sound. See the intervals in A♭ phrygian. The step pattern is H, 1½, H, W, H, W, W.
When to use it
Works over A♭ major or A♭ 5th chords in Spanish and rock styles. The ♭2 adds a dark colour. Use it with A♭ major and A♭ 5th progressions. It also suits E♭ minor keys.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. The root on string 4, fret 1 is low and the high root on string 2, fret 4 is easy to reach.
Common questions
Which notes are in A♭ phrygian dominant?
A♭, B♭♭, C, D♭, E♭, F♭, and G♭. It has a major third and flat second, sixth, and seventh. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What chords fit this scale?
A♭ major and A♭ 5th are the tonic chords. You can also use D♭ minor and G♭ minor for progressions.
How does it differ from A♭ phrygian?
The third is C instead of C♭. That makes the tonic chord major while keeping the flat second.
Where is the root on the ukulele?
The root A♭ is on string 4, fret 1 and string 2, fret 4 in Box 1. Box 2 adds string 3, fret 8.