A♭ Major Chord (Ab, G#) on Piano
The Ab chord (Ab major) is built from 3 notes: Ab – C – Eb. It is also written as G#.
Play these notes on a MIDI keyboard, your computer keyboard, or the on-screen keys and ChordKeys will name the chord back to you.
Notes and intervals
| Note | Degree | Interval from Ab | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ab | 1 | root | 0 |
| C | 3 | major 3rd | 4 |
| Eb | 5 | perfect 5th | 7 |
Inversions
Rearranging which note sits at the bottom gives you 3 playable voicings of the same chord. Inversions let you move between chords with less hand movement.
| Voicing | Notes | Bass note |
|---|---|---|
| Root position | Ab – C – Eb | Ab in the bass |
| 1st inversion | C – Eb – Ab | C in the bass |
| 2nd inversion | Eb – Ab – C | Eb in the bass |
How the major chord is built
Every major chord uses the same interval formula: 1 (0 semitones), 3 (4 semitones), 5 (7 semitones). Starting on Ab and applying that formula produces Ab, C, Eb. Learn the formula once and you can build a major chord on any of the twelve roots.
Keys that contain Ab
Every note of Ab belongs to these keys, so it will sit naturally in a progression written in any of them.
Other chords on Ab
Major chords on other roots
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in a Ab chord?
A Ab chord contains the notes Ab, C, Eb. Those are the 1, 3, 5 degrees measured from the root note Ab.
How do you play Ab on piano?
Place your thumb on Ab, then add C and Eb above it. With a right hand in root position the common fingering is 1–3–5.
Is Ab the same as G#?
Yes. Ab and G# are enharmonic equivalents — they sound identical and use the same piano keys. Which spelling you use depends on the key you are playing in.