A Flat Three Pentatonic Ukulele Scale
Ukulele scale — fretboard diagram
A Flat Three Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A Flat Three Pentatonic scale is a relatively rare jazz pentatonic scale. On Ukulele, it contains the notes A, B, C, E, F#. It is an effective tool for navigating blues changes, providing a unique way to differentiate between the different chords of a progression with a quirky, minor-key twist. Commonly used in Jazz, Blues, Experimental. Notable players include Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter. Use over m7, m7b5 chords. Effective for differentiating chords within a blues progression.
Notes: A, B, C, E, F#
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 5P, 6M
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5
Formula: W-H-4-W-WH
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: kumoi
How to Play A Flat Three Pentatonic on Ukulele
On ukulele, find A on the open strings or work through the scale within a four-fret span. With 5 notes, this scale fits neatly on the ukulele's short fretboard without requiring large stretches.
The A Flat Three Pentatonic scale contains 1 sharp (F#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the A Flat Three Pentatonic scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (A-C, B-E) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in A. Try a A5 - E5 - F#5 progression.
Ukulele Tips
The compact fretboard of the ukulele makes the A Flat Three Pentatonic scale easy to visualize in a single position. Use this to your advantage by memorizing the scale shape relative to chord shapes you already know.
The A Flat Three Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (A, B, C, E, F#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for A Flat Three Pentatonic
The A Flat Three Pentatonic scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 5-note pentatonic scale, 2-notes-per-string patterns are the most ergonomic way to traverse the fretboard. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore A Flat Three Pentatonic Further
- Harmonize the A Flat Three Pentatonic scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- A Flat Three Pentatonic on Guitar
- A Flat Three Pentatonic on Bass
- A Flat Three Pentatonic on Piano