Explore scales · Ukulele
A♭ major scale on ukulele
A♭ major scale notes are A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, and G. Box 1 places roots at 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♭ major scale on ukulele?
A♭ major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 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) | 0, 1, 3 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 3 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A♭ major 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, 5 | E♭, F |
| 2 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A♭ major in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 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, 6, 8 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 7, 8 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A♭ major 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, 10 | E♭, F |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 10, 11 | F, G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ major is a seven-note scale with the pattern W, W, H, W, W, W, H. It contains the notes of A♭ major pentatonic plus D♭ and G, adding the fourth and leading tone. Compare the two scales in A♭ major pentatonic.
When to use it
A♭ major fits the I, IV, and V chords in A♭ major: A♭ major, D♭ major, and E♭ major. Use it for warm, rounded melodies in jazz and ballads.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 4 fret 1 anchors the low end, and the high root on string 2 fret 4 keeps the reentrant G out of the way.
Common questions
What notes are in the A♭ major scale?
A♭ major scale notes are A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, and G. The scale follows the pattern W, W, H, W, W, W, H. On ukulele, Box 1 starts at string 4 fret 1. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does A♭ major fit?
A♭ major fits the A♭ major, D♭ major, and E♭ major chords. These are the I, IV, and V chords in the key of A♭ major. The scale also works over A♭ 5th and D♭ 5th power chords.
How does A♭ major differ from A♭ major pentatonic?
A♭ major has seven notes, while A♭ major pentatonic has five. The pentatonic omits D♭ and G, the fourth and seventh degrees. Adding those two notes gives the full major scale sound.