How to play A-flat (Ab) major scale on flute, notes, fingering chart, and concert tips

The A-flat (Ab) major scale on flute is the scale of the key of A-flat or four flats. This implies that its tonic note is A-flat. A-flat major is relative to the key of F minor, parallel to the key of A-flat minor, dominant to the key of E-flat major, and subdominant to the key of D-flat major. Below is a two octaves scale of A-flat major on flute and how it sounds;

A flat major scale for flute

How to play the A-flat major scale on the flute, its notes, and fingering chat

You can only play an A-flat major scale of two octaves on the flute, being between the ranges of Ab5 to Ab7. You need to use a fingering chart or a particular pattern to play the A-flat major scale on the flute. Below is a guide and finger chart of how to play the A-flat major scale on the flute;

First octave A-flat major scale notes (Ab5 – Ab6) fingering chart for flute

To play the first octave (Ab5 – Ab6) A-flat major scale on the flute, you have to play all the notes naturally except for the B note, E note, A note, and D note which you will have to flatten. Your fingering needs to be accurate in other to produce a perfect scale. Below is a chart for the first octave A-flat major scale on the flute;

a flat major scale for flute first octave

Second octave A-flat major scale notes (Ab6 – Ab7) fingering chart for flute

To play the second octave (Ab6 – Ab7) A-flat major scale on the flute, you have to play all the notes naturally except for the B note, E note, A note, and D note which you will have to flatten. Your fingering needs to be accurate in other to produce a perfect scale. Learning the scale might be hard for beginners. You will also have to tighten your lips to produce higher-pitched notes. Below is a chart for the second octave A-flat major scale on the flute;

a flat major scale for flute second octave

Concert A-flat major scale

While playing the A-flat major scale, every note is played in its natural form except for the B note, E note, A note, and D note. This means that all notes except the B note, E note, A note and D note are played naturally while playing this scale on the concert flute, Indian or Bansuri flute, Native American flute, pan flute, Arabian flute, and any other flute.

If you play an alto flute or any other transposable flute, you can play the A-flat major scale without any transposition. But while running the A-flat major scale with another instrument that is not transposable, you will then have to transpose to the right key in other to sound the same with them in pitch.

A-flat major scale flute notes and arpeggio

The A-flat major scale can be played up to two octaves on a C flute, the standard concert flute. The first note of this scale on the C flute is the A-flat note on the second space of the treble clef which in the range is the Ab5.

The notes or alphabets that you will play to get this scale correctly include; Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab. The two-octave arpeggio of this scale has its notes as Ab, C, Eb, Ab, C, Eb, Ab, Eb, C, Ab, Eb, C, Ab.

Notable flute compositions in A-flat major

  • Jeux de flûtes by Schmitt Georges
  • Waltz No. 15 Op. 39 by J. Brahms
  • Wiegenlied D.498, Op. 98, No. 2 by F. Schubert