Tuning-specific scale diagram

Ab Melodic Minor Scale in Drop D Tuning

Ab Melodic Minor Scale in Drop D Tuning shows the same ab melodic minor scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned D A D G B E. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

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: D A D G B E
Strings: 6
Open pitch range: D2 to E4
24-fret range: D2 to E6

Open strings and root positions

2 of the 6 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 6Fret 6

String 5Fret 11

String 4Fret 6

String 3Fret 1

String 2Fret 9

String 1Fret 4

Low-string pattern

On the lowest D string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 11, with the Ab root at fret 6. On the highest E string, the first Ab is at fret 4.

Fret 1Eb5

Fret 3F6

Fret 5G7

Fret 6Ab1

Fret 8Bb2

Fret 9Cbb3

Fret 11Db4

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play Ab Melodic Minor Scale on the low D string at frets 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 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 6 through 1 at frets 6, 11, 6, 1, 9, and 4, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.