ScalesAb Major
Guitar scale · fretboard map
Ab Major Scale
The Ab Major scale is built from the notes Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, and G, also known as the Ionian mode. The diagram below maps every one of those notes across the guitar neck, from the open strings up to the 12th fret, with the root Ab highlighted.
The major scale is the do-re-mi scale: bright and resolved, and the foundation almost all Western melody and harmony is measured against.
Notes in the Ab Major scale
Ab1
Bb2
C3
Db4
Eb5
F6
G7
Ab Major scale on the fretboard
root (Ab) other scale notes
Chords in the key of Ab major →
See the seven chords that come from this scale, plus common progressions in the key.
Explore this on the interactive fretboard →
The free Fretboard Explorer lets you switch keys and see the CAGED shapes and scale overlays tile the whole neck.
Other scales in Ab
G# Natural MinorAb Major PentatonicG# Minor PentatonicG# BluesG# DorianG# PhrygianAb LydianAb MixolydianG# Harmonic Minor
The major scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the Ab Major scale?
- The Ab Major scale contains 7 notes: Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, and G. As scale degrees those are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- How do you play the Ab Major scale on guitar?
- Every note above is shown on the fretboard diagram, from the open strings up to the 12th fret, with the root (Ab) highlighted. The pattern is movable: learn the shape once and you can slide it to start on any root. Anchor your playing to the Ab notes so the scale sounds resolved.
- What is the Ab Major scale used for?
- The major scale is the do-re-mi scale: bright and resolved, and the foundation almost all Western melody and harmony is measured against. Once the shape is under your fingers, try improvising over a backing track in Ab and listen for how each note pulls back toward the root.