Explore scales · Ukulele
A♭ blues minor scale on ukulele
A♭ blues minor contains A♭, C♭, D♭, E♭♭, E♭, and G♭. Box 1 places the root at string 4, fret 1 and string 2, fret 4.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7
How do you play the A♭ blues minor scale on ukulele?
A♭ blues minor in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 9 notes across 4 strings, from D♭ on the C string at fret 1 up to D♭ on the A string at fret 4. The root falls on the G string at fret 1 and the E string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 4 | A♭, C♭ |
| 3 (C) | 1, 2, 3 | D♭, E♭♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 2, 4 | G♭, A♭ |
| 1 (A) | 2, 4 | C♭, D♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A♭ blues minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 8 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) | 4, 6 | C♭, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 6 | E♭, G♭ |
| 2 (E) | 4 | A♭ |
| 1 (A) | 4, 5, 6 | D♭, E♭♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
A♭ blues minor in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 9 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, 7, 8 | D♭, E♭♭, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 6, 8 | G♭, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 7, 9 | C♭, D♭ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 9 | E♭, G♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A♭ blues minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 9 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, 11 | E♭, G♭ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 11 | A♭, C♭ |
| 2 (E) | 9, 10, 11 | D♭, E♭♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 9, 11 | G♭, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ blues minor adds the ♭5 E♭♭ to A♭ minor pentatonic. The scale degrees are 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, and ♭7. The ♭5 sits between the 4 and 5. Use it over A♭ minor and A♭ 5th chords.
When to use it
A♭ blues minor works over A♭ minor and A♭ 5th chords. It fits blues, rock, and funk progressions in A♭. Try it over A♭ minor and A♭ 5th.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It covers frets 1–4 and keeps the root on string 4, fret 1.
Common questions
What notes are in A♭ blues minor?
A♭ blues minor contains A♭, C♭, D♭, E♭♭, E♭, and G♭. The scale degrees are 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, and ♭7. The ♭5 E♭♭ is the blue note. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit A♭ blues minor?
A♭ blues minor fits A♭ minor and A♭ 5th chords. The scale contains the chord tones of A♭ minor. The ♭5 adds tension over the 5th chord.
How do I practice A♭ blues minor?
Start with Box 1 and play the notes ascending and descending. Use a metronome and gradually increase the tempo. Slide between E♭♭ and E♭ to hear the blues sound.