Ab Phrygian Mode
Notes in the Ab Phrygian Mode
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | Ab | 415.305 Hz |
| ♭2 | Phrygian 2nd | A | 440.000 Hz |
| ♭3 | Minor Mediant | B | 493.883 Hz |
| 4 | Subdominant | Db | 277.183 Hz |
| 5 | Dominant | Eb | 311.127 Hz |
| ♭6 | Minor Submediant | E | 329.628 Hz |
| ♭7 | Subtonic | Gb | 369.994 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Half Step (H) | 1 | Ab | A |
| 2 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | A | B |
| 3 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | B | Db |
| 4 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Db | Eb |
| 5 | Half Step (H) | 1 | Eb | E |
| 6 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | E | Gb |
| 7 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Gb | Ab |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ab | Ab minor | minor |
| ♭2 | A | A | major |
| ♭3 | B | B | major |
| 4 | Db | Db minor | minor |
| 5 | Eb | Eb diminished | diminished |
| ♭6 | E | E | major |
| ♭7 | Gb | Gb minor | minor |
Key Signature
4 ♭ — The Ab key signature uses Bb, Eb, Ab, Db.
Ab Phrygian Mode in Practice
The Ab Phrygian Mode uses the key signature of 4 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db). Ab major has four flats and a full, somewhat dark sound. It is a common key in Romantic piano music and is frequently encountered in orchestral and choral writing. On guitar, Ab positions offer comfortable transposing instrument keys for this scale.
The Phrygian mode has a dark, exotic quality due to its flat 2nd degree. It is characteristic of Spanish flamenco music and heavy metal, creating an intense, mysterious atmosphere.
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ab | 415.305 Hz | 417.657 Hz | 418.601 Hz |
| A | 440.000 Hz | 440.000 Hz | 436.043 Hz |
| B | 493.883 Hz | 495.000 Hz | 490.548 Hz |
| Db | 277.183 Hz | 278.437 Hz | 279.067 Hz |
| Eb | 311.127 Hz | 309.026 Hz | 313.951 Hz |
| E | 329.628 Hz | 330.001 Hz | 327.032 Hz |
| Gb | 369.994 Hz | 371.251 Hz | 367.911 Hz |
Related Scales
Transposing Instruments: Ab Phrygian Mode
Ab is a natural key for B♭ instruments (trumpet, clarinet, tenor sax), which sound a major second lower than written. B♭ instruments reading in C produce Ab concert pitch. E♭ instruments (alto sax, baritone sax) reading in Ab sound a major sixth lower.