Chords in the Key of A♭ Major (Ab)
The key of Ab major is built on the notes Ab – Bb – C – Db – Eb – F – G. Every chord below is drawn from that scale, so they all sound at home together.
The seven chords in Ab major
| Numeral | Chord | Notes | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Ab | Ab C Eb | Major |
| ii | Bbm | Bb Db F | Minor |
| iii | Cm | C Eb G | Minor |
| IV | Db | Db F Ab | Major |
| V | Eb | Eb G Bb | Major |
| vi | Fm | F Ab C | Minor |
| vii° | Gdim | G Bb Db | Diminished |
Seventh chords in Ab major
Adding the next third on top of each triad gives the seventh chords of the key — the harmonic vocabulary most jazz and soul writing starts from.
| Numeral | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Imaj7 | Abmaj7 | Ab C Eb G |
| ii7 | Bbm7 | Bb Db F Ab |
| iii7 | Cm7 | C Eb G Bb |
| IVmaj7 | Dbmaj7 | Db F Ab C |
| V7 | Eb7 | Eb G Bb Db |
| vi7 | Fm7 | F Ab C Eb |
| viiø7 | Gm7b5 | G Bb Db F |
Common chord progressions in Ab major
| Numerals | Chords in Ab major | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| I – V – vi – IV | Ab – Eb – Fm – Db | The most common progression in modern pop music. |
| I – IV – V – I | Ab – Db – Eb – Ab | The classic three-chord cadence used across blues, folk and rock. |
| ii – V – I | Bbm – Eb – Ab | The backbone of jazz harmony. |
| vi – IV – I – V | Fm – Db – Ab – Eb | A softer, minor-flavoured rotation of the pop progression. |
Relative minor key
Ab major shares all of its notes with F minor, so switching between the two changes the mood of a piece without changing a single note. See F minor.
Scale reference
See the full Ab Major scale for its fingering, key signature, degrees and step pattern.
Other scales for this key: Ab major pentatonic.
Other keys
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of Ab major?
The key of Ab major contains Ab, Bbm, Cm, Db, Eb, Fm, Gdim. These are the triads built on each degree of the Ab major scale.
What is the relative minor of Ab major?
The relative minor of Ab major is F minor. Both keys use exactly the same notes but resolve to a different tonic.
How many sharps or flats does Ab major have?
The Ab major scale is spelled Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, G, which gives it 0 sharps and 4 flats.