Tuning-specific scale diagram

Ab Major Blues Scale in Drop C# Tuning

Ab Major Blues Scale in Drop C# Tuning shows the same ab major blues 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, C, Eb, F
Formula: 1 2 b3 3 5 6
Semitones: 0 2 3 4 7 9
Tuning: C# G# C# F# A# D#
Strings: 6
Open pitch range: C#2 to D#4
24-fret range: C#2 to D#6

Open strings and root positions

3 of the 6 open strings belong to Ab Major Blues Scale: string 5 Ab (1), string 2 Bb (2), and string 1 Eb (5). Ab roots occur on open string 5.

String 5Ab1

String 2Bb2

String 1Eb5

First root on each string

String 6Fret 7

String 5Open

String 4Fret 7

String 3Fret 2

String 2Fret 10

String 1Fret 5

Low-string pattern

On the lowest C# string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 2, 4, 7, 9, 10, and 11, with the Ab root at fret 7. On the highest D# string, the first Ab is at fret 5.

Fret 2Eb5

Fret 4F6

Fret 7Ab1

Fret 9Bb2

Fret 10Cbb3

Fret 11C3

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play Ab Major Blues Scale on the low C# string at frets 2, 4, 7, 9, 10, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets Ab 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 7, 0, 7, 2, 10, and 5, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.