Tuning-specific scale diagram
Ab Major (Ionian) Scale in 7-String Standard Tuning
Ab Major (Ionian) Scale in 7-String Standard Tuning shows the same ab major (ionian) scale pitch classes across 7 strings tuned B 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, C, Db, Eb, F, G
- Formula
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
- Semitones
- 0 2 4 5 7 9 11
- Parent scale
- Ab major
- Tuning
- B E A D G B E
- Strings
- 7
- Open pitch range
- B1 to E4
- 24-fret range
- B1 to E6
Open strings and root positions
1 of the 7 open strings belong to Ab Major (Ionian) Scale: string 3 G (7). None of those open-string tones is the Ab root, so the root must be fretted on every string.
String 3G7
First root on each string
String 7Fret 9
String 6Fret 4
String 5Fret 11
String 4Fret 6
String 3Fret 1
String 2Fret 9
String 1Fret 4
Low-string pattern
On the lowest B string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11, with the Ab root at fret 9. On the highest E string, the first Ab is at fret 4.
Fret 1C3
Fret 2Db4
Fret 4Eb5
Fret 6F6
Fret 8G7
Fret 9Ab1
Fret 11Bb2
Practice this tuning-specific layout
- Play Ab Major (Ionian) Scale on the low B string at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
- Build a phrase that lets G on open string 3 ring, then connect it to the nearest Ab root and two other scale tones.
- Connect the Ab root positions on strings 7 through 1 at frets 9, 4, 11, 6, 1, 9, and 4, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.
Fretboard diagram
Open this diagram in the fretboard tool
Start with Ab Major (Ionian) Scale and 7-string standard tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboardReference pages
Related diagrams in this tuning
Ab Major Pentatonic Guitar Scale7-String Standard TuningAb Major Blues Guitar Scale7-String Standard TuningAb Mixolydian Guitar Scale7-String Standard TuningAb Lydian Guitar Scale7-String Standard TuningBb Dorian Guitar Scale7-String Standard TuningC Phrygian Guitar Scale7-String Standard TuningC# Lydian Guitar Scale7-String Standard TuningEb Mixolydian Guitar Scale7-String Standard TuningF Natural Minor (Aeolian) Guitar Scale7-String Standard TuningG Locrian Guitar Scale7-String Standard Tuning
Related arpeggio diagrams in this tuning
Same scale in other tunings
E Flat Standard TuningEb Ab Db Gb Bb EbD Standard TuningD G C F A DC Standard TuningC F Bb Eb G CB Standard TuningB E A D F# BDrop D TuningD A D G B EDrop C# TuningC# G# C# F# A# D#Drop C TuningC G C F A DDrop B TuningB F# B E G# C#DADGAD TuningD A D G A DOpen E TuningE B E G# B EOpen D TuningD A D F# A DOpen G TuningD G D G B DOpen C TuningC G C G C EOpen A TuningE A E A C# E7-String Drop A TuningA E A D G B E7-String Drop G TuningG D G C F A D8-String Standard TuningF# B E A D G B E8-String Drop E TuningE B E A D G B E