A flat major scale on piano
The A flat major scale on piano has 7 notes: A flat, B flat, C, D flat, E flat, F, and G (A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G). It uses 4 black keys: A♭, B♭, D♭, E♭. Standard fingering going up one octave: right hand 3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3; left hand 3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3.
- A♭ A flat 1
- B♭ B flat 2
- C 3
- D♭ D flat 4
- E♭ E flat 5
- F 6
- G 7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (A♭) has the strongest color. Tap a key to hear the note; "Play" goes up and down. The small dot marks middle C (C4).
Fingering for the A flat major scale
| Note | A♭ | B♭ | C | D♭ | E♭ | F | G | A♭ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Left hand | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Two octaves: Right hand: 3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3 · Left hand: 3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3
This is the standard fingering from piano method books (the same as in ABRSM exams), going up; to come down, retrace it. Practice each hand separately and slowly before putting them together. Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger.
Formula
- A♭
- W
- B♭
- W
- C
- H
- D♭
- W
- E♭
- W
- F
- W
- G
- H
- A♭
Degrees: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7. Steps: W – W – H – W – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the major scale
The foundation of Western music (Ionian mode). Happy and stable; the chords of the major key come from it.
Harmonized scale (chords in the key)
The chords that come from the scale, stacking thirds from each note.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | A♭ | A♭7M | tonic |
| IIm | B♭m | B♭m7 | subdominant |
| IIIm | Cm | Cm7 | tonic |
| IV | D♭ | D♭7M | subdominant |
| V | E♭ | E♭7 | dominant |
| VIm | Fm | Fm7 | tonic |
| VII° | G° | Gm7(b5) | dominant |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
Relative minor: F minor scale . Same notes, different center.
More A flat scales
- Major
- Natural minor (G♯)
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic
- Minor pentatonic (G♯)
- Blues (G♯)
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian (G♯)
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Locrian (G♯)
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião)
- Phrygian dominant (G♯)
- Whole-tone
- Diminished (whole-half) (G♯)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole)
Major in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the A flat major scale?
The notes of the A flat major scale are A flat, B flat, C, D flat, E flat, F, and G. It uses 4 black keys: A♭, B♭, D♭, E♭.
What is the fingering for the A flat major scale on piano?
Going up one octave: right hand 3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3 and left hand 3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3. Over two octaves: right hand 3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3 and left hand 3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3.
What is the formula of the A flat major scale?
In degrees: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7. In steps between notes: W – W – H – W – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step).
Which chords go with the A flat major scale?
The chords of the key are A♭, B♭m, Cm, D♭, E♭, Fm, G°. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.