Ab Pentatonic Major

The scale and its scale degrees.

Formula	Notes
1	Ab
2	Bb
3	C
5	Eb
6	F

The fourth degree is omitted, as well as the seventh, since the degrees are based on the regular Major seven-note scale.

The interval formula (2 - 2 - 3 - 2 - 3) can be expound into specific notes of the scale.

Notes (ascending)	Interval
Ab-Bb	M2
Ab-C	M3
Ab-Eb	P5
Ab-F	M6

Notes (descending)	Interval
Ab-F	m3
Ab-Eb	P4
Ab-C	m6
Ab-Bb	m7

Abbreviations are used: M / m stands for major / minor and P stands for perfect.

The notes in the scale can be described as intervals, written as 2 - 2 - 3 - 2 - 3 from the first note to the first in next octave.
The Ab Pentatonic Major is relative to F Pentatonic Minor. Both scales include the same notes but with different root notes.

This scale is one of the most common for guitarists and utilized in conjunction with lots of styles, including pop, country and blues.
The easiest way to learn this scale is probably to think of it as the Ab Major scale without the fourth and the seventh degrees.

Some of the chords that are related to this scale are listed here:

• Ab
• Bbm7
• Cm7
• Ebsus4
• Fm

The tones in these chords correspond to the tones of the Ab Pentatonic Major scale. Notice that the match is not completely exact, the third (Db) in Bbm7 and the fifth (G) in Cm7 are not included in the scale.

Related to this scale is the Ab Pentatonic Major add4, adding the 4th degree. It can be displayed as follows:

Formula	Notes	Intervals	Degrees
1	Ab	Unison	Tonic
2	Bb	Major second	Supertonic
3	C	Major third	Mediant
4	Db	Augmented fourth	Subdominant
5	Eb	Perfect fifth	Dominant
6	F	Sixth	Submediant

The Ab Pentatonic Major add4 scale, is identical with the Ab Major except for missing the major 7th interval.

Start the audio and play along with your guitar! Use notes from the scale in the diagram above.

Normal tempo: Slow tempo:

A flat Pentatonic Major scale first shape ascending.

The numbers above the tablature are suggested fingerings.