Explore scales · Ukulele
A♭ natural minor scale on ukulele
A♭ natural minor uses A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F♭, and G♭. Box 1 places roots on string 4 fret 1 and string 2 fret 4 for a low-position start.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the A♭ natural minor scale on ukulele?
A♭ natural minor in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 11 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, 3, 4 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 3 (C) | 1, 3, 4 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 2 (E) | 2, 4 | G♭, A♭ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 2, 4 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A♭ natural minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 10 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, 4, 6 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 4, 6 | E♭, F♭, G♭ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 4, 6 | D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
A♭ natural minor 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, 7, 9 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 7, 9 | E♭, F♭, G♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A♭ natural minor 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, 11 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 2 (E) | 9, 11 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 9, 11 | G♭, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ natural minor is the Aeolian mode of C♭ major, sharing its key signature. It lowers the third, sixth, and seventh degrees of A♭ major. Compared with A♭ minor pentatonic, it adds B♭ and F♭ for full diatonic movement.
When to use it
Use A♭ natural minor over A♭ minor and A♭ 5th progressions in jazz, metal, and classical settings. The F♭ and G♭ create a dark pull back to A♭. A♭ natural minor suits the key of A♭ minor, where the seventh degree stays a whole step below the tonic.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It keeps the root on the fourth string and covers frets 1–4 for easy open-position phrasing.
Common questions
Which notes are in A♭ natural minor?
A♭ natural minor contains A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F♭, and G♭. The intervals are 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. It is the Aeolian mode of C♭ major. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit A♭ natural minor?
A♭ natural minor fits A♭ minor and A♭ 5th chords. The tonic chord is A♭ minor. The scale also works over progressions built from the key of A♭ minor.
How does A♭ natural minor differ from A♭ minor pentatonic?
A♭ natural minor adds B♭ and F♭ to the five notes of A♭ minor pentatonic. The pentatonic scale omits the second and sixth degrees. The natural minor provides a fuller diatonic sound.