G Flat Major Scale On Guitar
The Gb major scale is a 7 note scale that consists of notes Gb - Ab - Bb - Cb - Db - Eb - F
Here you will find all 7 scale shapes, the correct fingerings, best picking for speed & accuracy and the notes of the scale so you will be able to easily play the scale and understand what's going on musically.
Click the tabs below to learn the various shapes and how they fit together across the fretboard.
G flat Major Scale Guitar 1st Position
Gb major scale guitar tab
To play the first pattern of the Gb flat major scale place your first finger (index finger) on the 6th string 2nd fret and pick down, then place your second finger (middle finger) on the 6th string 4th fret and pick up. Then place your fourth finger on the 6th string 6th fret and pick down then change strings. (follow the guitar tab above)
The first pattern of the major scale is sometimes called the "ionian pattern" or "ionian mode" we will not discuss modes here but now you know. Click here for a brief description on guitar modes.
One of the biggest problems aspiring lead guitarist run into with scales is they use the wrong fingers and/or the wrong pick directions which causes their playing to be slow and sloppy so I made sure to include this! 👊
What notes are in the G flat major scale?
The 7 notes that make up the Eb major scale are: Gb - Ab - Bb - Cb - Db - Eb - F. Because there are 7 notes the major scale is sometimes referred to as a septatonic scale (septa meaning seven).
What is the formula for the Gb major scale?
The G flat major scale uses the formula W - W - H - W - W - W - H
W= whole step (equal to 2 frets on your guitar) H = Half step (equal to 1 fret on your guitar)
Sometimes you may hear terms such as tone and semitone which can be used interchangeably with whole step and half step. When we apply this formula to the chromatic scale we will extract major scale and the notes we end up with depend on which note we started on.
Another formula (and much more usable) is after we have extracted the major scale out of the chromatic scale we can number the notes. When we do this we call these numbers "scale degrees."
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 - Scale degrees for major scale
Gb - Ab - Bb - Cb - Db - Eb - F - Notes of Gb major scale
Learning and mastering the scale degrees is very important for understanding the fretboard, how chords are created, and making music. Inside the Guitar GPS Method we have extensive training to help you master this concept.
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What is the relative minor for the key of G flat major?
The Relative Minor or sometimes called the Relative 6 for the key of Gb major is Eb minor. All the notes and the chords used in Gb major are exactly the same as Ebm. The term relative 6 refers to the 6th note in the scale - which is what the relative minor is based off of. For more training on this concept check out the course Music Theory Training For Guitar inside the Guitar GPS Method membership.
G flat major scale guitar chords
When we reference chords for a scale we call this a KEY. The basic chords for the key of Gb major are Gb - Abm - Bbm - Cb - Db - Ebm - Fdim. As you can see almost all of these chords can be played in open position making this an important scale and key to learn.
If you need help learning these chords or want to learn multiple ways to play them check out the Chord Library!