A♭ Minor Pentatonic Scale (Ab, G#)
The Ab minor pentatonic scale contains Ab – Cb – Db – Eb – Gb. It is Ab minor without its 2nd (Bb) and 6th (Fb), so it is usually written in the key signature of Ab minor: 7 flats: Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb and Fb. It uses the same piano keys as G# minor pentatonic, spelled G# – B – C# – D# – F#.
Ab minor pentatonic scale chart
Pentatonic and blues scales have no standard book fingering, so none is shown here. Pick fingers that keep your thumb off the black keys.
Ab minor pentatonic vs Ab minor
| Degree | 1 | 2 | b3 | 4 | 5 | b6 | b7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor | Ab | Bb | Cb | Db | Eb | Fb | Gb |
| Pentatonic | Ab | – | Cb | Db | Eb | – | Gb |
Bb and Fb are the two notes of Ab minor that sit a half step from a neighbour. Without them the scale has no half steps at all. Its relative is Cb major pentatonic (the same keys as B major pentatonic), which uses the same five keys starting from Cb. Add one note and it becomes Ab blues.
What Ab minor pentatonic is used for
This is the first scale most rock and blues players learn to solo with. It fits over Abm and Abm7, over a minor song in the key of Ab minor, and over a blues in Ab, where its Cb rubs against the major 3rd of the Ab chord on purpose.
Notes and intervals
| Note | Degree | Interval from Ab | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ab | 1 | root | 0 |
| Cb | b3 | minor 3rd | 3 |
| Db | 4 | perfect 4th | 5 |
| Eb | 5 | perfect 5th | 7 |
| Gb | b7 | minor 7th | 10 |
Step pattern
The minor pentatonic scale is built from the pattern W+H – W – W – W+H – W (W = whole step, H = half step, W+H = three semitones). Apply that pattern from any starting note and you get the same scale in a different key.
Key signature
Ab minor has 7 flats: Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb and Fb. The pentatonic plays Ab, Cb, Db, Eb and Gb, so Bb and Fb simply never sound.
Chords using only these notes
Five notes leave room for few chords, so each of these can be played with Ab minor pentatonic alone.
| Chord | Notes |
|---|---|
| Abm | Ab Cb Eb |
| Abm7 | Ab Cb Eb Gb |
| Absus4 | Ab Db Eb |
| Cb | Cb Eb Gb |
| Cbsus2 | Cb Db Gb |
| Cbmaj6 | Cb Eb Gb Ab |
| Dbsus2 | Db Eb Ab |
| Dbsus4 | Db Gb Ab |
| Gbsus2 | Gb Ab Db |
| Gbsus4 | Gb Cb Db |
More scales on Ab
Minor Pentatonic scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the Ab minor pentatonic scale?
The Ab minor pentatonic scale contains Ab, Cb, Db, Eb, Gb, then returns to Ab an octave higher.
Which notes does Ab minor pentatonic leave out of Ab minor?
The 2nd, Bb, and the 6th, Fb. What remains is Ab, Cb, Db, Eb, Gb.
What is the relative major pentatonic of Ab minor pentatonic?
Cb major pentatonic. It uses the same five keys, with Cb as its tonic.
What is the step pattern of the minor pentatonic scale?
It follows the pattern W+H – W – W – W+H – W, where W is a whole step (two semitones), H is a half step (one semitone) and W+H is three semitones.