Tuning-specific scale diagram

Ab Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale in Drop C Tuning

Ab Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale in Drop C Tuning shows the same ab natural minor (aeolian) scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned C G C F A D. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes: Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Semitones: 0 2 3 5 7 8 10
Parent scale: B major
Tuning: C G C F A D
Strings: 6
Open pitch range: C2 to D4
24-fret range: C2 to D6

Open strings and root positions

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

First root on each string

String 6Fret 8

String 5Fret 1

String 4Fret 8

String 3Fret 3

String 2Fret 11

String 1Fret 6

Low-string pattern

On the lowest C string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11, with the Ab root at fret 8. On the highest D string, the first Ab is at fret 6.

Fret 1Db4

Fret 3Eb5

Fret 4Fbb6

Fret 6Gbb7

Fret 8Ab1

Fret 10Bb2

Fret 11Cbb3

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play Ab Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale on the low C string at frets 1, 3, 4, 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 8, 1, 8, 3, 11, and 6, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.