Chords in the Key of A♭ Minor (Ab)
The key of Ab minor is built on the notes Ab – Bb – Cb – Db – Eb – Fb – Gb. Every chord below is drawn from that scale, so they all sound at home together.
The seven chords in Ab minor
| Numeral | Chord | Notes | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | Abm | Ab Cb Eb | Minor |
| ii° | Bbdim | Bb Db Fb | Diminished |
| III | Cb | Cb Eb Gb | Major |
| iv | Dbm | Db Fb Ab | Minor |
| v | Ebm | Eb Gb Bb | Minor |
| VI | Fb | Fb Ab Cb | Major |
| VII | Gb | Gb Bb Db | Major |
Seventh chords in Ab minor
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 |
|---|---|---|
| i7 | Abm7 | Ab Cb Eb Gb |
| iiø7 | Bbm7b5 | Bb Db Fb Ab |
| IIImaj7 | Cbmaj7 | Cb Eb Gb Bb |
| iv7 | Dbm7 | Db Fb Ab Cb |
| v7 | Ebm7 | Eb Gb Bb Db |
| VImaj7 | Fbmaj7 | Fb Ab Cb Eb |
| VII7 | Gb7 | Gb Bb Db Fb |
Common chord progressions in Ab minor
| Numerals | Chords in Ab minor | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| i – VI – III – VII | Abm – Fb – Cb – Gb | A bright, anthemic minor progression. |
| i – iv – v | Abm – Dbm – Ebm | The natural-minor equivalent of the classic cadence. |
| i – VII – VI – VII | Abm – Gb – Fb – Gb | A modal, folk-leaning loop. |
| i – iv – VII – III | Abm – Dbm – Gb – Cb | Moves toward the relative major for a lift. |
Relative major key
Ab minor shares all of its notes with Cb major, so switching between the two changes the mood of a piece without changing a single note. Cb major and B major are the same pitches written two ways; this reference files that key under B major.
Scale reference
See the full Ab Natural Minor scale for its fingering, key signature, degrees and step pattern. The same key is also written G# minor.
Other scales for this key: Ab harmonic minor, Ab melodic minor, Ab minor pentatonic and Ab blues.
Other keys
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of Ab minor?
The key of Ab minor contains Abm, Bbdim, Cb, Dbm, Ebm, Fb, Gb. These are the triads built on each degree of the Ab minor scale.
What is the relative major of Ab minor?
The relative major of Ab minor is Cb major. Both keys use exactly the same notes but resolve to a different tonic. Cb major and B major are the same pitches spelled two ways; this reference files that key under B major.
How many sharps or flats does Ab minor have?
The Ab minor scale is spelled Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, which gives it 0 sharps and 7 flats.