Three notes per string

Ab Major — Three Notes Per String

All 7 three-notes-per-string positions for the Ab major scale, drawn on the neck between frets 1 and 16.

345678910AbBbCDbEbFGAbBbCDbEbFGAbBbCDb

Swipe the neck sideways to see the higher frets.

Three notes on every string gives the Ab major scale exactly 7 positions — one starting on each note of the scale, 18 notes apiece, together covering frets 1 to 16. Each shape is placed at the lowest fret its starting note allows, which is why position 6 starts on F down at frets 1–6 instead of carrying on up the neck. Move any of them twelve frets and you have the same shape an octave higher.

Position 1 — frets 4–9

Shown above.

Position 2 — frets 6–11

56789101112BbCDbEbFGAbBbCDbEbFGAbBbCDbEb

Position 3 — frets 8–13

7891011121314CDbEbFGAbBbCDbEbFGAbBbCDbEbF

Position 4 — frets 9–15

8910111213141516DbEbFGAbBbCDbEbFGAbBbCDbEbFG

Position 5 — frets 11–16

1011121314151617EbFGAbBbCDbEbFGAbBbCDbEbFGAb

Position 6 — frets 1–6

01234567FGAbBbCDbEbFGAbBbCDbEbFGAbBb

Position 7 — frets 3–8

23456789GAbBbCDbEbFGAbBbCDbEbFGAbBbC
Position 1
4–9
Position 2
6–11
Position 3
8–13
Position 4
9–15
Position 5
11–16
Position 6
1–6
Position 7
3–8
Practise these positions with the loop player →

Opens the Practice Loop on position 1. Switch positions there without losing your tempo.