Harmonic Circles
Harmonic Circle of Ab Major (Ab)
I – vi – ii – V7Harmonic progression with an interactive player and guitar diagrams.
Sequence and Tonal Functions of the Circle Ab
To achieve smooth chord transitions, always identify anchor fingers (common notes held on the fretboard) and keep your wrist relaxed without sudden arm movements. Practice the loop at a slow tempo before speeding up.
How the chords connect in Ab major
The progression
Ab, Fm, Bbm and Eb7 make up the Ab major circle, as degrees I, vi, ii and V7.
The notes of each chord
Ab holds Ab, C and Eb. In Fm you hear F, Ab and C. Bbm holds Bb, Db and F. In Eb7 you hear Eb, G, Bb and Db.
From one chord to the next
Ab and Fm share Ab and C, though the hand changes shape. From Fm to Bbm, F stays, and two hand positions stay put. Bbm and Eb7 share Bb and Db, though the hand changes shape.
Back to the start
Going back from Eb7 to Ab, G rises a semitone to Ab and Db falls a semitone to C. The two chords share Eb.
The hand
Ab needs a barre at fret 4. Fm takes a barre at fret 1. Bbm needs a barre at fret 1, leaving string 6 unplayed. Eb7 takes a barre at fret 6, leaving string 6 unplayed. The highest fret in the circle is fret 8, in Eb7. Ab, Fm, Bbm and Eb7 use a barre.
Ab harmonic circle diagram
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Key map: Ab
- Key signature
- 4 flats
- Scale notes
- Ab – Bb – C – Db – Eb – F – G
- Relative key
- Fm
- How to play it with a capo
- G shapes + capo on fret 1E shapes + capo on fret 4D shapes + capo on fret 6
Download the printable A4 sheet (this circle and 3 more)The Ab circle for guitar
The thumb plays the 6th string for Ab and Fm and the 5th string for Bbm and Eb7.
Show tab and notation
Show the piano version (grand staff)
The Ab circle on the staff
The left hand plays Ab, F, Bb, and Eb in the bass.
Loading score…
Show the notes as text, beat by beat
Bar 1 · Ab
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand (RH) | Eb4C4Ab3 | Eb4C4Ab3 | ||
| Left hand (LH) | Ab2 | Eb3 |
Bar 2 · Fm
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand (RH) | C5Ab4F4 | C5Ab4F4 | ||
| Left hand (LH) | F2 | C3 |
Bar 3 · Bbm
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand (RH) | F4Db4Bb3 | F4Db4Bb3 | ||
| Left hand (LH) | Bb2 | F3 |
Bar 4 · Eb7
| Count | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand (RH) | Db5Bb4G4Eb4 | Db5Bb4G4Eb4 | ||
| Left hand (LH) | Eb3 | Bb3 |
Famous Songs Using the Circle (Ab)
Well-known songs that use this progression
"Sunday Morning"
ii - V - I (Bbm7 - Eb7 - Abmaj7)Smooth and relaxed continuous jazz-pop turnaround.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Circle (Ab)
Concrete, direct answers on fingering, strumming, and music theory
Which chords make up the Ab harmonic circle and what order are they played in?
The Ab harmonic circle consists of four chords following the I - vi - ii - V7 formula: Ab - Fm - Bbm - Eb7. In guitar practice, it is played in 4/4 time, typically giving one measure (4 beats) to each chord before transitioning to the next in a seamless loop.
What famous songs use the Ab harmonic circle?
The Ab circle is a timeless progression widely used in acoustic pop, classic rock, and folk ballads. Its cyclical movement (Ab - Fm - Bbm - Eb7) supports hundreds of well-known vocal melodies.
What is the harmonic function of each chord in the Ab circle?
In the Ab circle, the first chord (Ab) provides the home tonic (Degree I/i); the second (Fm) introduces relative contrast; the third (Bbm) prepares motion; and the fourth (Eb7) creates dominant seventh tension (V7) resolving smoothly back to the tonic.
What is the best strumming pattern to practice the Ab harmonic circle?
To build muscle memory and steady rhythm on the Ab circle, practice with a Pop Ballad or Acoustic Strumming pattern at 75 to 85 BPM. Emphasize the root bass note on beat 1 followed by relaxed down and up strums on beats 2, 3, and 4.
Want to know how each chord feels?
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