Explore scales · Ukulele
A♭ scottish pentatonic scale on ukulele
A♭ Scottish pentatonic uses A♭, B♭, D♭, E♭, F. Box 1 keeps the root on string 4, fret 1 and string 2, fret 4.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
How do you play the A♭ scottish pentatonic scale on ukulele?
A♭ scottish pentatonic in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 8 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 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 1, 3 | D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 4 | F, A♭ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 4 | B♭, D♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A♭ scottish pentatonic 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) | 3, 6 | B♭, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5 | E♭, F |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 4, 6 | D♭, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A♭ scottish pentatonic in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 8 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) | 9, 11 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 11 | F, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
Start from A♭ major pentatonic and raise the third C to D♭. The intervals are 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 with steps W, 1½, W, W, 1½. This removes the major third for a suspended feel. See A♭ major pentatonic for contrast.
When to use it
Use it over A♭5 or A♭sus2 to keep the harmony open. The D♭ and E♭ create a suspended colour that suits Scottish folk and modal rock. Try A♭ 5th or A♭ suspended 2nd.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first: the root sits on string 4, fret 1 and string 2, fret 4, covering frets 1–4. It gives you the scale in a low position.
Common questions
Which notes are in A♭ Scottish pentatonic?
The notes are A♭, B♭, D♭, E♭, and F. They follow the pattern 1, 2, 4, 5, 6. The third is omitted, creating a suspended sound. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What chords work with A♭ Scottish pentatonic?
A♭5 and A♭sus2 work well because they avoid the third. You can also use B♭ minor and D♭ major for movement. The scale fits over modal vamps.
How is this different from A♭ major pentatonic?
A♭ major pentatonic has C as the third. Scottish pentatonic raises that to D♭, the fourth. This changes the interval pattern and removes the major third.