Scale · Major

A♭ Major scale

The A♭ major scale runs A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭ F G — the formula 1 2 3 4 5 6 7, in steps of W W H W W W H (W a whole tone, H a semitone). The right hand plays it 3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3 and the left hand 3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3, over one octave.

Notes
A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭ F G
Formula
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Steps
W W H W W W H
Relative minor
F Natural Minor

On the keyboard

The A♭ Major scale on the piano keyboard: A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭ F G34123123A♭B♭CD♭E♭FGA♭

The numbers on the keys are the right-hand fingering; 1 is the thumb.

Fingering, one octave

DegreeNoteRight handLeft hand
1A♭33
2B♭42
3C11
4D♭24
5E♭33
6F12
7G21
8A♭33

Ascending, right hand 3–4–1–2–3–1–2–3; left hand 3–2–1–4–3–2–1–3. Descending, each hand plays the same fingers in reverse.

The key of A♭ Major

This scale is the key of A♭ Major: its key signature, the seven chords built on these degrees, and the progressions that use them.

A♭ in the other forms

Major scales on every root

Part of the scale reference. See also the chords and the keys.