The A Flat (Ab) Harmonic Minor scale creates a dark, dramatic sound that works well in styles like classical, flamenco, and metal. Its raised 7th gives it a tense, exotic flavor that’s perfect for melodic lines and solos. Use the five tab patterns below to unlock the scale across the fretboard.
Fretboard Position 1
e|----------------------------|-------------------[4]-| B|----------------------------|-------------5--8------| G|----------------------------|----4--6--8------------| D|---------------------5--[6]-|-8---------------------| A|------------4--6--7---------|-----------------------| E|-[4]--6--7------------------|-----------------------|
Fretboard Position 2
e|----------------------------|-----------------------7-| B|----------------------------|-----------8--[9]--11----| G|----------------------------|-----8--9----------------| D|-----------------------8--9-|-11----------------------| A|----------7--10--[11]-------|-------------------------| E|-7--9--11-------------------|-------------------------|
Fretboard Position 3
e|-------------------------------|-------------------------9-| B|-------------------------------|------------[9]--11--12----| G|-------------------------------|-----9--12-----------------| D|-------------------------9--11-|-13------------------------| A|-----------10--[11]--13--------|---------------------------| E|-9--11--12---------------------|---------------------------|
Fretboard Position 4
e|----------------------------------|---------------------------11-| B|----------------------------------|---------------11--12--14-----| G|----------------------------------|-----12--[13]-----------------| D|---------------------------11--13-|-14---------------------------| A|-------------[11]--13--14---------|------------------------------| E|-11--12--15-----------------------|------------------------------|
Fretboard Position 5
e|--------------------------|-------------------3-| B|--------------------------|-------------4--5----| G|--------------------------|----3--4--6----------| D|---------------------2--5-|-6-------------------| A|------------2--4--6-------|---------------------| E|-3--[4]--6----------------|---------------------|
Scale Formula & Notes
Formula: 1 – 2 – ♭3 – 4 – 5 – ♭6 – 7
Notes (in Ab Harmonic Minor): Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, G
Related Scales
- Relative Major: B Major — the scale that shares the same notes as Ab Harmonic Minor (theory equivalent: Cb Major)
- Parallel Major: Ab Major Scale Tabs
Chords You Can Play Over Ab Harmonic Minor
The Ab Harmonic Minor scale works well over:
- Abm
- Eb, Eb7
- Bm
- Db
- Abaug
- Gdim
- Fdim
Explore our complete Guitar Chord Library to connect scales directly to real music.
