stringery

A♭ major

The do-re-mi scale everything else is measured against. Major family

Bright, familiar, resolved.

Root position4 of 5

571012

Square: the root. In colour: the major 3rd, the note that gives this scale its sound.

Built from

  1. A♭RW
  2. B♭2W
  3. C3H
  4. D♭4W
  5. E♭5W
  6. F6W
  7. G7H

Every step is a whole step except two half steps, after the 3rd and the 7th. That pattern is the sound of 'home' in most music you know.

Between the notes: W is a whole step (2 frets), H a half step (1 fret), and 1½ a step and a half (3 frets).

On the whole neckA♭ major

12345GCEA5710127R23456734567R2367R2345234567R
12345GCEA5710127R23456734567R2367R2345234567R

Position 4 is outlined, frets 8 to 11. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The A♭ major key

Build a chord on every note of the scale and you get these seven. Songs in this key mostly use them.

  1. A♭I
  2. B♭mii
  3. Cmiii
  4. D♭IV
  5. E♭V
  6. Fmvi
  7. Gdimvii°

Its neighbours on the circle of fifths Capo and transpose

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • F minor

    Same notes, but home is F: sad, serious, the classic minor sound.

  • B♭ dorian

    Same notes, but home is B♭: minor but hopeful. cool and groovy.

  • E♭ mixolydian

    Same notes, but home is E♭: major and laid-back, with swagger.

  • D♭ lydian

    Same notes, but home is D♭: floating, magical, wide-eyed.

  • C phrygian

    Same notes, but home is C: dark, spanish, menacing.