Tuning-specific scale diagram

Ab Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale in E Flat Standard Tuning

Ab Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale in E Flat Standard Tuning shows the same ab natural minor (aeolian) scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb. 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: Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb
Strings: 6
Open pitch range: Eb2 to Eb4
24-fret range: Eb2 to Eb6

Open strings and root positions

6 of the 6 open strings belong to Ab Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale: string 6 Eb (5), string 5 Ab (1), string 4 Db (4), string 3 Gb (b7), string 2 Bb (2), and string 1 Eb (5). Ab roots occur on open string 5.

String 6Eb5

String 5Ab1

String 4Db4

String 3Gbb7

String 2Bb2

String 1Eb5

First root on each string

String 6Fret 5

String 5Open

String 4Fret 7

String 3Fret 2

String 2Fret 10

String 1Fret 5

Low-string pattern

On the lowest Eb string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 10, with the Ab root at fret 5. On the highest Eb string, the first Ab is at fret 5.

OpenEb5

Fret 1Fbb6

Fret 3Gbb7

Fret 5Ab1

Fret 7Bb2

Fret 8Cbb3

Fret 10Db4

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play Ab Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale on the low Eb string at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets Eb on open string 6 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 5, 0, 7, 2, 10, and 5, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.