Ab guitar chord: see the fingering, compare positions, and hear it before you play.
P - m - i - m · Alternating Folk (4/4 · 4 notes · Level 1)
The 1st string repeats the G# of the 6th. This pattern leaves it out. All 6 arpeggios
Alternating picking with steady pulse.
The notes of Ab are Ab, C and Eb. Ab is the root, C the major third and Eb the fifth. Said aloud, its notes are A flat, C and E flat.
From the low string to the high one you hear Ab, Eb, Ab, C, Eb and Ab. Of the six strings you play, three give Ab, the note that names the chord. The lowest and highest notes are both Ab, two octaves apart, on strings 6 and 1.
The main Ab shape needs a barre at fret 4 across six strings. Everything fits between frets 4 and 6. Besides the main one there are two more shapes, at frets 6 and 11.
Ab7 is one change away. String 4 moves from fret 6 to fret 4, bringing in Gb, the minor seventh of Ab7. It shares two notes with Fm, Ab and C. Going to Db, two positions stay the same. It can also be written G#, and it sounds the same.
Ab belongs to seven keys. In Ab major it is the I, in Db major the V and in Eb major the IV. The rest appear in the key list. Further down there are two songs that use it.
Ab 1C 3Eb 5
Root Bass (Fundamental String)6th String (Low E) • Fret 4 (Ab)
String Control (Muted & Active)6 / 6 • Active and muted strings status indicator
Placement tip: Barre fret 4. Press: 5th String (A) at fret 6, 4th String (D) at fret 6, 3rd String (G) at fret 5.
Placement tip: Barre fret 11. Press: 4th String (D) at fret 13, 3rd String (G) at fret 13, 2nd String (B) at fret 13. Don't play: 6th String (Low E).
Placement tip: Press: 4th String (D) at fret 6 with your Index finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 8 with your Ring finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 9 with your Pinky finger, 1st String (High E) at fret 8 with your Middle finger. Don't play: 6th String (Low E), 5th String (A).
| Item | In this chord |
|---|---|
| Frets | 4 to 6 |
| Barre | fret 4, from the 6th to the 1st string |
| Fretting fingers | 4 |
| Open | none |
| Muted | none |
At fret 4, only the barre sounds the 6th, 2nd, and 1st strings.
Listen: Ab → Ab7 · Db · Dbm
Ab sits in the scale of 7 keys.
Well-known songs where this chord plays a clear role
The questions that come up most when playing this chord
To play the Ab chord on guitar, all 6 strings are played from the 6th string (Low E) to the 1st string (High E). Arch your finger joints perpendicular to the fretboard so adjacent strings ring clearly.
The primary bass note of the Ab chord is its root note: Ab. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 6 at fret 4.
When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.
The Ab chord is constructed using the 1 - 3 - 5 formula (Major Triad). Its constituent pitches are Ab, C, Eb.
To prevent fret buzz on the Ab barre chord, roll your index finger slightly outward (about 15 degrees) to press with its harder bony edge. Position your finger directly behind the fret wire and apply gentle arm pull from your back rather than squeezing with thumb force.
"All of Me" (John Legend, 2013). The home chord, the tonic of the song (Fm - Db - Ab - Eb).
"Somebody to Love" (Queen, 1976). The home chord, the tonic of the song (Ab).
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