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A♭ ionian pentatonic Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: G, Ab, C, Db, Eb at frets 3, 4, 8, 9, 11

A string: C, Db, Eb, G, Ab at frets 3, 4, 6, 10, 11

D string: Eb, G, Ab, C, Db at frets 1, 5, 6, 10, 11

G string: G, Ab, C, Db, Eb, G at frets 0, 1, 5, 6, 8, 12

B string: C, Db, Eb, G, Ab at frets 1, 2, 4, 8, 9

High E string: G, Ab, C, Db, Eb at frets 3, 4, 8, 9, 11

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Ab ionian pentatonic

The ionian pentatonic keeps the root, major 3rd, 4th, 5th and major 7th of the major scale. Unlike the common major pentatonic it keeps both half-step tendencies (4 and 7), so it sounds like a compressed major scale rather than an open one. It outlines a major 7th chord with one passing tone, making it a compact source of maj7 arpeggio lines.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

A♭

I

C

III

D♭

IV

E♭

V

G

VII

Same notes, different mode

Ab ionian pentatonic uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

C pelog

ionian pentatonic in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • A maj7 arpeggio plus the 4th: the root, 3rd (C), 4th (Db), 5th (Eb) and 7th (G); play it as chord tones with one passing note and lines write themselves.
  • Both half steps resolve like the full major scale, the 4th (Db) falling to the 3rd and the 7th (G) rising to Ab, so the five notes still sound complete.
  • Use it over maj7 chords when the ordinary major pentatonic feels too country; the VII changes the register of the sound.
  • Practice the IV-III and VII-root resolutions as ornaments (hammer-ons into the chord tone) for melodic comping in Ab.

How to play A♭ ionian pentatonic on guitar

Capo at the first fret and the open G fingering covers Ab ionian pentatonic, which means all three flats vanish from the shape. Without it, only the open G string touches the scale, sounding the major seventh. Roots sit at fret 4 on both E strings, so an E-shape barre at 4 anchors box work that ends at fret 8. A-shape barre waits at fret 11.

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