Tuning-specific scale diagram

Ab Major Blues Scale in 7-String Drop A Tuning

Ab Major Blues Scale in 7-String Drop A Tuning shows the same ab major blues scale pitch classes across 7 strings tuned A E A D G B E. The seventh string extends the pattern below a six-string layout while keeping the upper strings familiar.

Scale notes
Ab, Bb, Cb, C, Eb, F
Formula
1 2 b3 3 5 6
Semitones
0 2 3 4 7 9
Tuning
A E A D G B E
Strings
7
Open pitch range
A1 to E4
24-fret range
A1 to E6

Open strings and root positions

1 of the 7 open strings belong to Ab Major Blues Scale: string 2 Cb (b3). None of those open-string tones is the Ab root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 2Cbb3

First root on each string

String 7Fret 11
String 6Fret 4
String 5Fret 11
String 4Fret 6
String 3Fret 1
String 2Fret 9
String 1Fret 4

Low-string pattern

On the lowest A string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, and 11, with the Ab root at fret 11. On the highest E string, the first Ab is at fret 4.

Fret 1Bb2
Fret 2Cbb3
Fret 3C3
Fret 6Eb5
Fret 8F6
Fret 11Ab1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play Ab Major Blues Scale on the low A string at frets 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets Cb on open string 2 ring, then connect it to the nearest Ab root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the Ab root positions on strings 7 through 1 at frets 11, 4, 11, 6, 1, 9, and 4, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

Ab Major Blues Scale in 7-String Drop A Tuning fretboard diagram
Ab Major Blues Scale in 7-String Drop A Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing A E A D G B E.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with Ab Major Blues Scale and 7-string drop a tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings