A♭ Major Scale
The A♭ major scale, also known as A♭ Ionian, has a bright, stable sound. The major scale is the foundational scale of Western music and has been used extensively in virtually every genre.
This page covers everything you need to know about the A♭ major scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.
A♭ Major Scale Notes
The A♭ major scale contains the following notes:
A♭ – B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭ – F – GA♭ Major Piano Diagram
This diagram highlights which keys belong to the A♭ major scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and the overall shape of the scale on the keyboard.
A♭ Major Scale Formula and Intervals
The interval formula for the major scale is:
W – W – H – W – W – W – HApplied to A♭, this gives us:
- A♭ → B♭
- B♭ → C
- C → D♭
- D♭ → E♭
- E♭ → F
- F → G
- G → A♭
Thus, A♭ major is built with the following scale degrees:
- Root (A♭)
- Major 2nd (B♭)
- Major 3rd (C)
- Perfect 4th (D♭)
- Perfect 5th (E♭)
- Major 6th (F)
- Major 7th (G)
Chords in the Key of A♭ Major
When stacking thirds on each scale degree of the A♭ major scale, the following diatonic triads emerge:
- A♭ major (I)
- B♭ minor (ii)
- C minor (iii)
- D♭ major (IV)
- E♭ major (V)
- F minor (vi)
- G diminished (vii°)
Related Scales and Modes
If you enjoy playing in A♭ major, you may also like:
- A♭ Lydian (A♭ major with a raised 4th)
- A♭ Mixolydian (A♭ major with a flat 7th)
- F minor (A♭ relative minor)
A♭ Major Scale FAQs
How is A♭ major different from A♭ Lydian?
A♭ Lydian has an augmented 4th (D), while A♭ major has a perfect 4th (D♭).
How is A♭ major different from A♭ Mixolydian?
A♭ Mixolydian has a flat 7th (G♭), while A♭ major has a major 7th (G).
What is the relative minor of A♭ major?
F minor. F natural minor uses the same notes as A♭ major, but starts on its 6th degree (F).
Summary: A♭ Major Scale
- Notes: A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G
- Formula: W, W, H, W, W, W, H