Phrygian Dominant (Hijaz, Ahava Rabbah) scale on guitar

Phrygian dominant is Phrygian with a major third, the classic Middle Eastern, flamenco and klezmer sound.

Play the A Phrygian Dominant scale on the fretboard in Guitar Upscale

About the Phrygian Dominant (Hijaz, Ahava Rabbah) scale

It is the fifth mode of harmonic minor. E Phrygian dominant has the notes of A harmonic minor, played from E.

The flat 2nd and the major 3rd sit three half steps apart, and that gap gives the scale its exotic colour. Arabic music calls a close relative of it Hijaz, Jewish prayer calls it Ahava Rabbah.

Flamenco guitar and metal riffs use it over a major chord on the root. Try E to F and back, with the notes of this scale on top.

Intervals from the root

Chords in the A Phrygian Dominant scale

Stack every other note of the scale and you get one chord on each note. These chords sound at home with the scale, so they make good progressions.

Same notes, another starting note

Start the A Phrygian Dominant scale on another of its notes and you get these scales:

• From degree b2 (Bb): Bb Lydian #2 scale
• From degree 3 (C#): C# Ultralocrian scale
• From degree 4 (D): D Harmonic Minor scale
• From degree 5 (E): E Locrian Natural 6 scale
• From degree b6 (F): F Ionian #5 scale
• From degree b7 (G): G Romanian Minor scale

Phrygian Dominant scale in every key

More Middle Eastern scales

• Arabian (Major Locrian)
• Persian Scale
• Mohammedan Scale
• Adonai Malakh
• Magen Avot