Tuning-specific scale diagram

Ab Major (Ionian) Scale in Open C Tuning

Ab Major (Ionian) Scale in Open C Tuning shows the same ab major (ionian) scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned C G C G C E. 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: C G C G C E
Strings: 6
Open pitch range: C2 to E4
24-fret range: C2 to E6

Open strings and root positions

5 of the 6 open strings belong to Ab Major (Ionian) Scale: string 6 C (3), string 5 G (7), string 4 C (3), string 3 G (7), and string 2 C (3). None of those open-string tones is the Ab root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 6C3

String 5G7

String 4C3

String 3G7

String 2C3

First root on each string

String 6Fret 8

String 5Fret 1

String 4Fret 8

String 3Fret 1

String 2Fret 8

String 1Fret 4

Low-string pattern

On the lowest C string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 10, with the Ab root at fret 8. On the highest E string, the first Ab is at fret 4.

OpenC3

Fret 1Db4

Fret 3Eb5

Fret 5F6

Fret 7G7

Fret 8Ab1

Fret 10Bb2

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play Ab Major (Ionian) Scale on the low C string at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets C on open string 6 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 8, 1, 8, 1, 8, and 4, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.