Ab Pentatonic Scale

A flat major pentatonic takes degrees 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 of the A flat major scale. Its three-note tonic chord is A flat-C-E flat. Those notes give you a clear place to start a major-key melody.

A flat minor pentatonic uses degrees 1, flat 3, 4, 5 and flat 7. Its tonic chord is A flat-C flat-E flat. The two pentatonic sets share A flat and E flat, but the other three notes differ. When the chord is Ab minor, begin with the minor set; when it is Ab major, begin with the major set. Check longer notes against the accompaniment.

C flat is the piano key labeled B. Its spelling matters because C is the lowered third above A flat, even when the keyboard uses another label.

A five-note set leaves gaps compared with a seven-note scale. Neither common major nor common minor pentatonic version has a half step between adjacent scale notes. That gives you room to build small phrases, although it does not guarantee that every note fits every chord. Pentatonic and Blues Scales explains the two formulas and their limits.

Try the minor line over A flat-C flat-E flat, then the major line over A flat-C-E flat. Keep the bass on A flat so the different third is easy to hear.

For an added passing note in the minor set, continue to Ab Blues Scale.