Ab chord (A flat major) on guitar
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.
Ab chord shapes
Finger 1 barres fret 4, then 3 on A, 4 on D, 2 on G.
Finger 1 barres fret 1, then 4 on E, 3 on A.
Fingers: 2 on E, 1 on A, 4 on D, 3 on G.
Finger 1 barres fret 8, then 4 on A, 3 on D, 2 on B.
Finger 1 barres fret 11, then 3 on D, 3 on G, 3 on B.
Fingers: 2 on E, 1 on A, 4 on G, 3 on B.
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
Guitar · 6-string, tuned low to high: E, A, D, G, B, e. 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).
- B string: fret 1 C (3), fret 4 Eb (5), fret 9 Ab (1), fret 13 C (3), fret 16 Eb (5), fret 21 Ab (1).
- 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).
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 guitar?
The easiest shape is 466544. Finger 1 barres fret 4, then 3 on A, 4 on D, 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.