Ab Major Circle (Ab)
I - vi - ii - V7 progression in Ab major with Fm and Eb7
For Ab major place finger 1 on fret 1 of string 4, finger 2 on fret 3 of string 3, finger 4 on fret 4 of string 2, and finger 3 on fret 3 of string 1. Moving to F minor place finger 1 on fret 1 of string 4, finger 2 on fret 1 of string 2, and finger 4 on fret 3 of string 1. For Bb minor lay a fret 1 barre with finger 3 on fret 3 of string 4. For Eb7 lay a fret 3 barre with finger 2 on fret 4 of string 1.
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. At 82 beats per minute, each bar of 4/4 lasts about 2.9 seconds and the whole round about 11.7.
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 keep Ab and C in common. Also, two hand positions stay put. From Fm to Bbm, F stays, and one hand position stays put. Bbm and Eb7 keep Bb and Db in common. Also, one hand position stays put.
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 presses four positions and leaves no string open. Fm rings with string 3 open and three fretted positions. Bbm needs a barre at fret 1. Eb7 takes a barre at fret 3. The highest fret in the circle is fret 4, in Ab. Bbm and Eb7 use a barre.
Key map: Ab
- Key signature
- 4 flats
- Scale notes
- Ab – Bb – C – Db – Eb – F – G
The 7 chords of the key
- IAb
- iiBbm
- iiiCm
- IVDb
- VEb
- viFm
- vii°Gdim
- Relative key
- Fm
Ab Major Circle (Ab) circle for ukulele
Ab 1343 · Fm 1013 · Bbm 3111 · Eb7 3334
Show ukulele tab and notation
Questions about this ukulele circle
How do you place all four fingers securely on A flat major?
Set fingers 1 and 2 on the lower strings first, then drop fingers 3 and 4 directly onto the higher strings with fingertips upright.
Which open string rings out in F minor on ukulele?
The third string rings open, providing a natural C that brightens the darker tone of the minor chord.
Why does E flat 7 resolve into A flat?
Because its D flat note steps down to C and its G note steps up to A flat, creating a classic harmonic cadence.