Explore scales · Ukulele
A♭ phrygian scale on ukulele
A♭ Phrygian uses A♭, B♭♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F♭, G♭. The flat second B♭♭ sits one fret above the root, giving a tight, exotic pull.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the A♭ phrygian scale on ukulele?
A♭ phrygian in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D♭ on the C string at fret 1 up to D♭ on the A string at fret 4. The root falls on the G string at fret 1 and the E string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 2, 4 | A♭, B♭♭, C♭ |
| 3 (C) | 1, 3, 4 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 2 (E) | 2, 4 | G♭, A♭ |
| 1 (A) | 2, 4 | C♭, D♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A♭ phrygian in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 9 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) | 4, 6 | C♭, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 4, 6 | E♭, F♭, G♭ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 5 | A♭, B♭♭ |
| 1 (A) | 4, 6 | D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
A♭ phrygian 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) | 7, 9 | C♭, D♭ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 7, 9 | E♭, F♭, G♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A♭ phrygian 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, 11 | A♭, B♭♭, C♭ |
| 2 (E) | 9, 11 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 9, 11 | G♭, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ Phrygian lowers the second degree of A♭ natural minor. Compare A♭ natural minor to hear the B♭♭ against B♭. The scale is built H, W, W, W, H, W, W from A♭. The ♭2 creates the characteristic Phrygian tension.
When to use it
Use A♭ Phrygian over A♭ minor and A♭ 5th chords. The ♭2 works over A major in metal and flamenco styles. Try it over E♭ minor 7th flat 5th for a tense dominant sound.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It keeps the root on the fourth string and covers frets 1–4, making the half-step from A♭ to B♭♭ easy to hear.
Common questions
Which notes are in A♭ Phrygian?
A♭, B♭♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F♭, G♭. The B♭♭ is the flat second that defines the Phrygian sound. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What chords fit A♭ Phrygian?
A♭ minor and A♭ 5th are the primary chords. A major and E♭ minor 7th flat 5th also work well.
How does A♭ Phrygian differ from A♭ natural minor?
A♭ Phrygian has a B♭♭ instead of B♭. This single change creates the characteristic half-step between the first two notes.