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Harmonic Minor Modes Also known as Spanish Phrygian

A♭ Phrygian Dominant

NOTES
A♭ A C D♭ E♭ E G♭ A♭
SCALE FORMULA
1 – ♭2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – ♭6 – ♭7
ABOUT THIS SCALE

The fifth mode of harmonic minor. Its flat second and major third produce a powerful Spanish, Middle Eastern and metal-oriented sound.

GUITAR FRETBOARD

A♭ Phrygian Dominant

Standard tuning — E A D G B E — open through fret 24.

Scale note Root Click any note to hear it.
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Playback: The scale follows a practical two-octave route across nearby strings and frets. The note currently sounding turns bright white.
JAM OVER THIS

Chord progression ideas

Key of A♭

Spanish / Middle Eastern Vamp

I – ♭II – I
A♭ → A → A♭

The major tonic against the flat-II is the defining Phrygian Dominant sound.

Phrygian Dominant Groove

I – ♭vii – ♭II – I
A♭ → G♭m → A → A♭

A dramatic progression suited to metal, flamenco-influenced playing and exotic lead lines.