Tuning-specific scale diagram

Ab Major (Ionian) Scale in E Flat Standard Tuning

Ab Major (Ionian) Scale in E Flat Standard Tuning shows the same ab major (ionian) scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb. 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
Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb
Strings
6
Open pitch range
Eb2 to Eb4
24-fret range
Eb2 to Eb6

Open strings and root positions

5 of the 6 open strings belong to Ab Major (Ionian) Scale: string 6 Eb (5), string 5 Ab (1), string 4 Db (4), string 2 Bb (2), and string 1 Eb (5). Ab roots occur on open string 5.

String 6Eb5
String 5Ab1
String 4Db4
String 2Bb2
String 1Eb5

First root on each string

String 6Fret 5
String 5Open
String 4Fret 7
String 3Fret 2
String 2Fret 10
String 1Fret 5

Low-string pattern

On the lowest Eb string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 10, with the Ab root at fret 5. On the highest Eb string, the first Ab is at fret 5.

OpenEb5
Fret 2F6
Fret 4G7
Fret 5Ab1
Fret 7Bb2
Fret 9C3
Fret 10Db4

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play Ab Major (Ionian) Scale on the low Eb string at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets Eb on open string 6 ring, then connect it to the nearest Ab root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the Ab root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 5, 0, 7, 2, 10, and 5, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

Ab Major (Ionian) Scale in E Flat Standard Tuning fretboard diagram
Ab Major (Ionian) Scale in E Flat Standard Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with Ab Major (Ionian) Scale and e flat standard tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

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Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings