Tuning-specific scale diagram

Ab Minor Blues Scale in C Standard Tuning

Ab Minor Blues Scale in C Standard Tuning shows the same ab minor blues scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned C F Bb Eb G C. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes
Ab, Cb, Db, Ebb, Eb, Gb
Formula
1 b3 4 b5 5 b7
Semitones
0 3 5 6 7 10
Tuning
C F Bb Eb G C
Strings
6
Open pitch range
C2 to C4
24-fret range
C2 to C6

Open strings and root positions

1 of the 6 open strings belong to Ab Minor Blues Scale: string 3 Eb (5). None of those open-string tones is the Ab root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 3Eb5

First root on each string

String 6Fret 8
String 5Fret 3
String 4Fret 10
String 3Fret 5
String 2Fret 1
String 1Fret 8

Low-string pattern

On the lowest C string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, and 11, with the Ab root at fret 8. On the highest C string, the first Ab is at fret 8.

Fret 1Db4
Fret 2Ebbb5
Fret 3Eb5
Fret 6Gbb7
Fret 8Ab1
Fret 11Cbb3

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play Ab Minor Blues Scale on the low C string at frets 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets Eb on open string 3 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 8, 3, 10, 5, 1, and 8, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

Ab Minor Blues Scale in C Standard Tuning fretboard diagram
Ab Minor Blues Scale in C Standard Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing C F Bb Eb G C.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with Ab Minor Blues Scale and c standard tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

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Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings