This scale reference contains the notes, formula, structure, positions, chords, and modes for the A Flat Major scale on guitar. For an in-depth lesson on the major scale, please see Major Scale Patterns, Positions and Theory.
Notes of A Flat Major Scale
The A Flat Major scale contains 4 flats and 3 natural notes.
A♭ – B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭ – F – G
Scale Formula
The scale formula for the A Flat Major scale is:
Root – Major 2nd – Major 3rd – Perfect 4th – Perfect 5th – Major 6th – Major 7th
| Intervals | Root | Major 2nd | Major 3rd | Perfect 4th | Perfect 5th | Major 6th | Major 7th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | A♭ | B♭ | C | D♭ | E♭ | F | G |
Scale Structure
A Flat Major follows the major scale structure of whole and half step intervals:
W W H W W W H
Scale Positions
The diagrams below outline the 5 CAGED positions for the A Flat Major scale on the guitar.
Position 1
Position 2
Position 3
Position 4
Position 5
Chords in the Key of A Flat Major
When you harmonize the A Flat Major scale you get the following chords:
| Degree | I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi | vii° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chord | A♭ | B♭m | Cm | D♭ | E♭ | Fm | Gdim |
| Chord Notes | A♭ – C – E♭ | B♭ – D♭ – F | C – E♭ – G | D♭ – F – A♭ | E♭ – G – B♭ | F – A♭ – C | G – B♭ – D♭ |
Relative and Parallel Scales
Relative Minor of A Flat Major: F Minor | Fm – Gdim – A♭ – B♭m – Cm – D♭ – E♭
Parallel Minor of A Flat Major: A Flat Minor | A♭m – B♭dim – C♭ – D♭m – E♭m – F♭ – G♭
Modes
The following are the modes of A Flat Major:
- A♭ Ionian (Major)
- B♭ Dorian (Minor)
- C Phrygian (Minor)
- D♭ Lydian (Major)
- E♭Mixolydian (Major)
- F Aeolian (Minor)
- G Locrian (Minor)
