Tuning-specific scale diagram

Ab Minor Pentatonic Scale in Open A Tuning

Ab Minor Pentatonic Scale in Open A Tuning shows the same ab minor pentatonic scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned E A E A C# E. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes
Ab, Cb, Db, Eb, Gb
Formula
1 b3 4 5 b7
Semitones
0 3 5 7 10
Tuning
E A E A C# E
Strings
6
Open pitch range
E2 to E4
24-fret range
E2 to E6

Open strings and root positions

1 of the 6 open strings belong to Ab Minor Pentatonic Scale: string 2 Db (4). None of those open-string tones is the Ab root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 2Db4

First root on each string

String 6Fret 4
String 5Fret 11
String 4Fret 4
String 3Fret 11
String 2Fret 7
String 1Fret 4

Low-string pattern

On the lowest E string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 2, 4, 7, 9, and 11, with the Ab root at fret 4. On the highest E string, the first Ab is at fret 4.

Fret 2Gbb7
Fret 4Ab1
Fret 7Cbb3
Fret 9Db4
Fret 11Eb5

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play Ab Minor Pentatonic Scale on the low E string at frets 2, 4, 7, 9, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets Db on open string 2 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 4, 11, 4, 11, 7, and 4, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

Ab Minor Pentatonic Scale in Open A Tuning fretboard diagram
Ab Minor Pentatonic Scale in Open A Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing E A E A C# E.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with Ab Minor Pentatonic Scale and open a tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings