Tuning-specific scale diagram

Ab Major (Ionian) Scale in Open D Tuning

Ab Major (Ionian) Scale in Open D Tuning shows the same ab major (ionian) scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned D A D 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 A D F# A D
Strings: 6
Open pitch range: D2 to D4
24-fret range: D2 to D6

Open strings and root positions

None of the 6 open strings belongs to Ab Major (Ionian) Scale. Every scale tone must therefore be fretted, beginning with the first available tone on the low D string.

First root on each string

String 6Fret 6

String 5Fret 11

String 4Fret 6

String 3Fret 2

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.
Play the scale without using an open string, then stop on the nearest Ab root each time the line changes strings.
Connect the Ab root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 6, 11, 6, 2, 11, and 6, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.