Position 3 of 7 · Phrygian Mode · Key of A♭

A♭ Phrygian Mode

Spanish/Flamenco scale

The A♭ Phrygian is the 3rd mode of the Ab Major scale. It has a dark, tense, spanish, flamenco, exotic, mysterious character. On guitar it appears at Position 3 in the fretboard pattern — root note Ab.

Notes in the A♭ Phrygian

Ab · A · B · Db · Eb · E · Gb

Step Formula

W = Whole step (2 frets) · H = Half step (1 fret)

H W W W H W W

Intervals

1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7

Sound CharacterDark, tense, Spanish, Flamenco, exotic, mysterious

Parent Major ScaleAb Major — A♭ Phrygian shares the same notes as Ab Major but starts on Ab

Best Used InFlamenco, Metal, Spanish Music, Film Scores

Famous ExamplesFlamenco guitar, White Zombie, Metallica, Spanish classical

Key insight: The ♭2 (half step from root) defines Phrygian. That single interval creates the Spanish/Middle Eastern tension.

The 5 Missing Notes™ — Beyond A♭ Phrygian

The A♭ Phrygian is one of 7 diatonic modes in the Dead Sea Scales system. Using the 5 Missing Notes™ framework, each mode generates 7 extended variations — giving you access to all 42 total modes in any key including A♭.

Same Mode, Every Key

The Phrygian pattern is identical in every key — the formula never changes. Explore the same mode in other keys:

Hear the A♭ Phrygian on a live fretboard

Select key A♭ · Mode Phrygian · Play notes with audio · See all 42 exotic variations

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A♭ Phrygian Mode

Notes in the A♭ Phrygian

Step Formula

Intervals

The 5 Missing Notes™ — Beyond A♭ Phrygian

Same Mode, Every Key

Hear the A♭ Phrygian on a live fretboard

DEEP DIVES