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A♭ whole scale on guitar
A♭ whole scale contains A♭, B♭, C, D, E, F♯. Its six whole steps make every fret position feel identical.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, ♯6
How do you play the A♭ whole scale on guitar?
A♭ whole in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 12 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 2. The root falls on the G string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3 | C, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
A♭ whole in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 12 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A♭ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the low E string at fret 4 and the high e string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, A♭ |
| 5 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5 | D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4 | F♯, A♭ |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
A♭ whole in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 12 notes across 6 strings, from A♭ on the low E string at fret 4 up to B♭ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the low E string at fret 4, the D string at fret 6 and the high e string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, A♭ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
A♭ whole in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 12 notes across 6 strings, from B♭ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the D string at fret 6 and the B string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9 | F♯, A♭ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
Box 5 · frets 8–11
A♭ whole in box 5 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 12 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the A string at fret 11 and the B string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, A♭ |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10 | C, D |
Box 6 · frets 10–13
A♭ whole in box 6 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 12 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 11 and the G string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 5 (A) | 11, 13 | A♭, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, A♭ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 13 | B♭, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12 | D, E |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ whole derives from A♭ lydian augmented by lowering the sixth degree from F to F♯. The scale keeps the augmented fifth and adds a minor seventh, which removes the leading tone. Compare it with A♭ lydian augmented to hear the difference.
When to use it
A♭ whole fits A♭ 7th flat 5 and A♭ 7th sharp 5 chords. Use it over dominant chords in C♭ major or F minor progressions.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. Its root on string 6, fret 4 anchors the low end and covers frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in A♭ whole scale?
A♭ whole scale contains A♭, B♭, C, D, E, and F♯. The scale has six notes separated by whole steps. It is also called Auxiliary Augmented. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit A♭ whole scale?
A♭ whole scale fits A♭ 7th flat 5 and A♭ 7th sharp 5 chords. The scale contains a diminished fifth and an augmented fifth. Use it over dominant chords with altered fifths.
Why does A♭ whole scale have two spellings?
The notes sound identical but are spelled differently. Use A♭ spelling in flat keys.