G♭ major scale
The G♭ major scale, with its six flats (G♭, A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭), is one of the most richly colored scales in Western music. This scale is enharmonically equivalent to the F♯ major scale and is often chosen for its particularly warm and velvety sonority.
The scale follows the major scale pattern: G♭ to A♭ (whole), A♭ to B♭ (whole), B♭ to C♭ (half), C♭ to D♭ (whole), D♭ to E♭ (whole), E♭ to F (whole), and F to G♭ (half). The six flats create a remarkably smooth and mellow sound.
G♭ major has been favored by Romantic composers like Chopin and Liszt for its rich, dreamy quality. While technically challenging due to its many flats, it offers a uniquely luxuriant sound that makes it particularly effective for expressive, lyrical passages.
G♭ major scale details
Information and technical details of the scale.
- Category
- western
- Type
- Heptatonic (7 notes per octave)
- Intervals
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
- Formula
- 2-2-1-2-2-2-1
- Also known as
- G♭ Ionian scale, G♭ Ionian mode, G-flat major scale
- Enharmonic equivalents
Related scales
Here are some scales that are related to the G♭ major scale. Or browse all piano scales.
G♭ harmonic minor scale
2-1-2-2-1-3-1
G♭ melodic minor scale
2-1-2-2-2-2-1
G♭ natural minor scale
2-1-2-2-1-2-2