A♭ Major 7th Chord (Abmaj7, G#maj7) on Piano
The Abmaj7 chord (Ab major 7th) is built from 4 notes: Ab – C – Eb – G. It is also written as G#maj7.
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 |
| G | 7 | major 7th | 11 |
Inversions
Rearranging which note sits at the bottom gives you 4 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 – G | Ab in the bass |
| 1st inversion | C – Eb – G – Ab | C in the bass |
| 2nd inversion | Eb – G – Ab – C | Eb in the bass |
| 3rd inversion | G – Ab – C – Eb | G in the bass |
How the major 7th chord is built
Every major 7th chord uses the same interval formula: 1 (0 semitones), 3 (4 semitones), 5 (7 semitones), 7 (11 semitones). Starting on Ab and applying that formula produces Ab, C, Eb, G. Learn the formula once and you can build a major 7th chord on any of the twelve roots.
Keys that contain Abmaj7
Every note of Abmaj7 belongs to these keys, so it will sit naturally in a progression written in any of them.
Other chords on Ab
Major 7th chords on other roots
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in a Abmaj7 chord?
A Abmaj7 chord contains the notes Ab, C, Eb, G. Those are the 1, 3, 5, 7 degrees measured from the root note Ab.
How do you play Abmaj7 on piano?
Place your thumb on Ab, then add C and Eb and G above it. With a right hand in root position the common fingering is 1–2–3–5.
Is Abmaj7 the same as G#maj7?
Yes. Abmaj7 and G#maj7 are enharmonic equivalents — they sound identical and use the same piano keys. Which spelling you use depends on the key you are playing in.