Tuning-specific scale diagram

Ab Major (Ionian) Scale in D Standard Tuning

Ab Major (Ionian) Scale in D Standard Tuning shows the same ab major (ionian) scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned D G C F A D. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

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: D G C F A D
Strings: 6
Open pitch range: D2 to D4
24-fret range: D2 to D6

Open strings and root positions

3 of the 6 open strings belong to Ab Major (Ionian) Scale: string 5 G (7), string 4 C (3), and string 3 F (6). None of those open-string tones is the Ab root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 5G7

String 4C3

String 3F6

First root on each string

String 6Fret 6

String 5Fret 1

String 4Fret 8

String 3Fret 3

String 2Fret 11

String 1Fret 6

Low-string pattern

On the lowest D string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 11, with the Ab root at fret 6. On the highest D string, the first Ab is at fret 6.

Fret 1Eb5

Fret 3F6

Fret 5G7

Fret 6Ab1

Fret 8Bb2

Fret 10C3

Fret 11Db4

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play Ab Major (Ionian) Scale on the low D string at frets 1, 3, 5, 6, 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 6, 1, 8, 3, 11, and 6, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.