Interactive piano keyboard showing Ab Minor Pentatonic scale degrees. Click highlighted keys to play.
The A♭ minor pentatonic (A♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, G♭) is rare in standard repertoire but valued in jazz and progressive music for its unusual, dark color. Its five notes create exotic, tension-filled lines. The enharmonic equivalent G♯ minor pentatonic is more commonly used by guitarists.
The minor pentatonic strips natural minor down to five notes, concentrating the minor 3rd and minor 7th — the two intervals that define rock and blues guitar. Nearly every iconic guitar riff uses these five notes.
The diatonic chords in Ab Minor Pentatonic are: Abm, B, Dbm, Ebm, Gbm. These are the chords built naturally from each degree of the scale.
What is the Minor Pentatonic?
The A♭ minor pentatonic (A♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, G♭) is rare in standard repertoire but valued in jazz and progressive music for its unusual, dark color. Its five notes create exotic, tension-filled lines. The enharmonic equivalent G♯ minor pentatonic is more commonly used by guitarists.
What notes are in the Ab Minor Pentatonic?
The Ab Minor Pentatonic contains the notes: Ab, Cb, Db, Eb, Gb. This is a 5-note scale starting from Ab.
How many chords does the Ab Minor Pentatonic have?
The Ab Minor Pentatonic produces 5 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: Abm, B, Dbm, Ebm, Gbm.
What is the formula for the Minor Pentatonic?
The Minor Pentatonic follows the interval formula: W+H-W-W-W+H-W (W = whole step, H = half step).
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Position in circle of fifths
Ab is at the 8 o'clock position. Related keys: Eb (dominant), C# (subdominant), F (relative minor), Bb (supertonic), F# (subtonic).