Tuning-specific scale diagram

Ab Melodic Minor Scale in 7-String Drop A Tuning

Ab Melodic Minor Scale in 7-String Drop A Tuning shows the same ab melodic minor scale pitch classes across 7 strings tuned A 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, Cb, Db, Eb, F, G
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 6 7
Semitones: 0 2 3 5 7 9 11
Tuning: A E A D G B E
Strings: 7
Open pitch range: A1 to E4
24-fret range: A1 to E6

Open strings and root positions

2 of the 7 open strings belong to Ab Melodic Minor Scale: string 3 G (7) and string 2 Cb (b3). None of those open-string tones is the Ab root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 3G7

String 2Cbb3

First root on each string

String 7Fret 11

String 6Fret 4

String 5Fret 11

String 4Fret 6

String 3Fret 1

String 2Fret 9

String 1Fret 4

Low-string pattern

On the lowest A string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11, with the Ab root at fret 11. On the highest E string, the first Ab is at fret 4.

Fret 1Bb2

Fret 2Cbb3

Fret 4Db4

Fret 6Eb5

Fret 8F6

Fret 10G7

Fret 11Ab1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play Ab Melodic Minor Scale on the low A string at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 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 11, 4, 11, 6, 1, 9, and 4, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.