In this post we will look at the G Flat Major Scale and all of its positions along the guitar fretboard.
The G flat major scale contains 6 flats. The 7 notes in the G flat major scale are:
Gb – Ab – Bb – Cb – Db – Eb – F
The key of Gb major is the furtherest away from C major on the cycle of 4ths, so it has the perception of being a hard key to learn.
If you are interested in learning about modes and guitar scales, it should be pointed out that the Gb Major scale is effectively the same scale as the Gb ionian scale. For the purpose of the series of lessons on guitar modes, we are going to treat Gb ionian and Gb Major as an identical scale.
If you are unsure of what a Major scale or ionian mode is, click on the link to the lessons.
Let’s look at the 5 CAGED positions for the Gb Major scale, as well as the open position.
Gb Major Scale In The Open Position
Let’s look at playing the G flat major scale in the open position. There is only one note (Cb, which is the same note as B) that can be played on an open string, but it’s worth playing anyway:
Gb Major Scale CAGED Positions
Here are the 5 CAGED positions for the Gb Major scale on the guitar (notes and tabs).
Gb Major Scale in the 1st Position (lowest fret is 1)
Gb Major Scale in the 2nd Position (lowest fret is 2)
Gb Major Scale in the 6th Position (lowest fret is 6)
Gb Major Scale in the 7th Position (lowest fret is 7)
The first one is in the 10th position (the lowest fret is fret 10)
So there we have it. All the positions along the fretboard for the Gb major scale!
How to Use the Gb Major Scale
For the purpose of improvising, the Gb Major scale can be used over the Gb Major chord, the Gb Major 7 chord, as well as other chords within the key of Gb Major.
Chords in the Key of Gb Major
The key of Gb Major contains the following chords (triads and 7th chords):
- Gb Major/Gb Major 7
- Ab minor/Ab minor 7
- Bb minor/Bb minor 7
- Cb Major/Cb Major 7
- Db Major/Db dominant 7
- Eb minor/Eb minor 7
- F diminished/F half diminished
Modes Of The Gb Major Scale
There are 7 modes in the key of Gb. We can produce these modes by playing the notes of the Gb Major scale, while starting on different notes of the scale. For example, to play the Ab dorian mode, we start on the note Ab and then play the notes of the Gb Major scale. To play the Eb Aeolian mode, we start on Eb and play through the notes of the Gb Major scale.
Here are the 7 modes in the key of Gb Major:
