Ab chord (A flat major) on bass
Ab (A flat major) has three notes: A flat, C and E flat. Its formula is 1, 3, 5. In major keys, Ab is the I chord in Ab major, the IV in Eb major and the V in Db major.
How to play Ab on bass
Low notes close together sound muddy, so bass players spread a chord out and leave notes out. Forms with a 3rd or 7th sound clear from about the E string's 8th fret up, so they start there; root and 5th stays low. These forms put the root on the E string; the same shapes work from the A string.
Fingers: 1 on E, 2 on G.
Fingers: 1 on E, 3 on A, 2 on G.
Fingers: 1 on E, 3 on A.
Fingers: 1 on E, 3 on A, 3 on D.
Hear it and see every shape in ScaleSpace →
| Symbol | Ab |
|---|---|
| Also written | Abmaj, AbM |
| Notes | Ab C Eb |
| Formula | 1 3 5 |
| Intervals | root, major third, perfect fifth |
| Type | Major chord |
Ab across the neck
Bass · 4-string, tuned low to high: E, A, D, G. 24 frets.
- E string: fret 4 Ab (1), fret 8 C (3), fret 11 Eb (5), fret 16 Ab (1), fret 20 C (3), fret 23 Eb (5).
- A string: fret 3 C (3), fret 6 Eb (5), fret 11 Ab (1), fret 15 C (3), fret 18 Eb (5), fret 23 Ab (1).
- D string: fret 1 Eb (5), fret 6 Ab (1), fret 10 C (3), fret 13 Eb (5), fret 18 Ab (1), fret 22 C (3).
- G string: fret 1 Ab (1), fret 5 C (3), fret 8 Eb (5), fret 13 Ab (1), fret 17 C (3), fret 20 Eb (5).
Swipe the chart sideways to see all of it.
Questions
What notes are in the Ab chord?
Ab (A flat major) has three notes: A flat, C and E flat. Its formula is 1, 3, 5. Ab is the root, C is the major third and Eb is the perfect fifth.
How do you play Ab on bass?
Bass players spread it out rather than strum it. The simplest form is the root and 10th: 1 10, root on the E string, fret 16. Fingers: 1 on E, 2 on G.
What key is Ab in?
In major keys, Ab is the I chord in Ab major, the IV in Eb major and the V in Db major. It is diatonic to those keys, so it fits songs in any of them.
What is the difference between Ab and G#m?
Ab has a major 3rd, C. G#m lowers it a half step to B, which is what makes it sound minor. The root and 5th stay the same.