Ab on piano: root position and inversions
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Root position A♭ – C – E♭ -
1st inversion C – E♭ – A♭ -
2nd inversion E♭ – A♭ – C
How to play Ab on piano
- A♭ is the black key between G and A. That is the root.
- Add C (major 3rd above) and E♭ (perfect 5th above): press A♭, C and E♭ together.
- Right hand: thumb (1) on A♭, middle finger (3) on C, little finger (5) on E♭. Left hand: little finger (5), middle finger (3), thumb (1).
- For a smoother change between chords, try an inversion (the same notes with a different one at the bottom), shown above.
Finger numbers: 1 thumb to 5 little finger. Fingering varies with hand size; these are common defaults.
Ab notes and intervals
| Note | Formula | Interval from the root |
|---|---|---|
| A♭ | 1 | root |
| C | 3 | major 3rd |
| E♭ | 5 | perfect 5th |
Inversions: the same notes with another one in the bass, written as slash chords: A♭/C (1st inversion) and A♭/E♭ (2nd inversion).
Ab on guitar and ukulele
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A♭ guitar chord 43111x -
A♭ on ukulele 1343
Which keys use Ab?
A♭ is one of the basic chords of 6 keys. Its number (Roman numeral) and job change with the key:
| Key | Written | Numeral | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| E♭ major | A♭ | IV | predominant |
| C minor | A♭ | VI | tonic or predominant |
| A♭ major | A♭ | I | tonic |
| F minor | A♭ | III | tonic |
| D♭ major | A♭ | V | dominant |
| B♭ minor | A♭ | VII | dominant |
| C♯ minor | G♯ | V | dominant (harmonic minor) |
Progressions with Ab
- I–IV–V–I in E♭ major: E♭ – A♭ – B♭ – E♭ The basic cadence: tonic, predominant, dominant, tonic.
- I–V–vi–IV in E♭ major: E♭ – B♭ – Cm – A♭ The four-chord pop progression (also called the Axis progression).
- vi–IV–I–V in E♭ major: Cm – A♭ – E♭ – B♭ The same four chords, starting on the minor vi.
- I–vi–IV–V in E♭ major: E♭ – Cm – A♭ – B♭ The '50s or doo-wop progression.
- I–IV–vi–V in E♭ major: E♭ – A♭ – Cm – B♭ The four chords of I–V–vi–IV in another order.