Explore scales · Ukulele
A♭ aeolian dominant scale on ukulele
A♭ aeolian dominant is A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F♭, G♭. The ukulele grip places the root on string 4, fret 1 and string 2, fret 4.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the A♭ aeolian dominant scale on ukulele?
A♭ aeolian dominant 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, 1, 3 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 0, 2 | F♭, G♭ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A♭ aeolian dominant in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the C string at fret 3 up to E♭ on the A string at fret 6. 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, 6 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 4, 6 | E♭, F♭, G♭ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
A♭ aeolian dominant in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 11 notes across 4 strings, from G♭ on the C string at fret 6 up to G♭ on the A string at fret 9. The root falls on the C string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 8, 9 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 3 (C) | 6, 8 | G♭, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 7, 9 | E♭, F♭, G♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A♭ aeolian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 10 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, 9, 11 | E♭, F♭, G♭ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 9, 11 | G♭, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ aeolian dominant raises the third of A♭ natural minor from C♭ to C, creating a major third over a minor seventh. The scale contains a tritone between B♭ and F♭, but no leading tone. Compare A♭ natural minor for the ♭3 version.
When to use it
Play A♭ aeolian dominant over A♭ major or A♭ 5th chords in a dominant context. It fits the key of C♭ major and the relative F minor. The ♭6 adds a dark, exotic color.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 4, fret 1 and string 2, fret 4, covering frets 0–3. This position anchors the scale in the lower register and sets up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in the A♭ aeolian dominant scale?
A♭ aeolian dominant contains A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F♭, and G♭. The scale degrees are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, and ♭7. It is a major scale with a lowered sixth and seventh. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does A♭ aeolian dominant fit?
A♭ aeolian dominant fits A♭ major and A♭ 5th chords. It also works over B♭ minor 7th flat 5th and C 7th flat 5th. The scale implies a dominant seventh sound with an altered fifth.
What is the difference between A♭ aeolian dominant and A♭ natural minor?
A♭ aeolian dominant has a major third (C) while A♭ natural minor has a minor third (C♭). Both scales share the same ♭6 and ♭7. The raised third gives the dominant quality.