Explore scales · Ukulele
A♭ acoustic scale on ukulele
A♭ acoustic is A♭, B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G♭. The raised 4th D and flat 7th G♭ define its Lydian dominant color.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the A♭ acoustic scale on ukulele?
A♭ acoustic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 9 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 2, 3 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 2 | F, G♭ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
A♭ acoustic in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 9 notes across 4 strings, from D on the C string at fret 2 up to D on the A string at fret 5. The root falls on the E string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
| 3 (C) | 2, 3, 5 | D, E♭, F |
| 2 (E) | 2, 4 | G♭, A♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A♭ acoustic in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 11 notes across 4 strings, from F on the C string at fret 5 up to F on the A string at fret 8. The root falls on the C string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 7, 8 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 6, 8 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 5, 6, 8 | D, E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A♭ acoustic in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the C string at fret 8 up to A♭ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the C string at fret 8 and the A string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 10, 11 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 9, 11 | F, G♭, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ acoustic raises the 4th of A♭ mixolydian from D♭ to D, producing a diminished 5th between A♭ and D. The scale has a tritone but no leading tone. Compare with A♭ mixolydian to hear the difference.
When to use it
A♭ acoustic fits A♭ major and A♭ 5th chords. Its ♯4 adds a bright, tense edge to dominant progressions. Use it over A♭ major or A♭ 5th.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 4, fret 1, covering frets 0–3 for a compact shape.
Common questions
What notes are in the A♭ acoustic scale?
A♭ acoustic contains A♭, B♭, C, D, E♭, F, and G♭. The raised 4th and lowered 7th create a Lydian dominant sound. It is also known as the overtone scale. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does A♭ acoustic fit?
A♭ acoustic fits A♭ major and A♭ 5th chords. The ♯4 D adds tension over these dominant sounds. Use it for rock, blues, and funk lines.
What is the difference between A♭ acoustic and A♭ mixolydian?
A♭ acoustic raises the 4th from D♭ to D compared to A♭ mixolydian. This creates a diminished 5th interval against the root. The rest of the notes are identical.