Tuning-specific scale diagram

Ab Harmonic Minor Scale in Drop C Tuning

Ab Harmonic Minor Scale in Drop C Tuning shows the same ab harmonic minor scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned C G C F A D. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes: Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, G
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7
Semitones: 0 2 3 5 7 8 11
Tuning: C G C F A D
Strings: 6
Open pitch range: C2 to D4
24-fret range: C2 to D6

Open strings and root positions

1 of the 6 open strings belong to Ab Harmonic Minor Scale: string 5 G (7). None of those open-string tones is the Ab root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 5G7

First root on each string

String 6Fret 8

String 5Fret 1

String 4Fret 8

String 3Fret 3

String 2Fret 11

String 1Fret 6

Low-string pattern

On the lowest C string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, and 11, with the Ab root at fret 8. On the highest D string, the first Ab is at fret 6.

Fret 1Db4

Fret 3Eb5

Fret 4Fbb6

Fret 7G7

Fret 8Ab1

Fret 10Bb2

Fret 11Cbb3

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play Ab Harmonic Minor Scale on the low C string at frets 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets G on open string 5 ring, then connect it to the nearest Ab root and two other scale tones.
Connect the Ab root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 8, 1, 8, 3, 11, and 6, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.