Notes and intervals of A♭ major seventh
- A♭1 · root
- C3 · major third
- E♭5 · perfect fifth
- G7 · major seventh
Widely used in bossa nova, jazz, ballads and pop: it adds color to the tonic or the fourth degree without creating strong tension.
Progressions with A♭maj7
Turnaround: Imaj7 – vi7 – ii7 – V7
A four-chord turnaround widely used in jazz, bossa nova and ballads, in A♭ major.
A colorful fourth degree: Imaj7 – IVmaj7
Two major seventh chords that alternate to create a mellow mood.
Which keys contain A♭ major seventh?
A♭maj7 belongs to 4 keys: in each one it plays a different role depending on the degree (the Roman numeral).
| Key | Degree |
|---|---|
| E♭ major | IVmaj7 |
| A♭ major | Imaj7 |
| C natural minor | VImaj7 |
| F natural minor | IIImaj7 |
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the A♭ major seventh chord?
A♭ major seventh (A♭maj7) has 4 notes: A♭ (root), C (major third), E♭ (perfect fifth), G (major seventh).
How do you play A♭ major seventh on guitar?
The most common shape starts at fret 4: 4 x 5 5 4 x (from the 6th to the 1st string). Finger 1 (index) on fret 4 of the 6th string (E). Finger 3 (ring) on fret 5 of the 4th string (D). Finger 4 (pinky) on fret 5 of the 3rd string (G). Finger 2 (middle) on fret 4 of the 2nd string (B). Don't play the 5th or 1st strings: strum from the 6th string.
Is A♭maj7 the same as G♯maj7?
Yes: A♭ major seventh and G♯ major seventh sound the same and are played the same way (they are enharmonic). The spelling depends on the key of the song; you'll see both names in sheet music and songbooks.
How do you write A♭ major seventh as a chord symbol?
It's written A♭maj7; you may also see A♭Δ7, A♭M7, or A♭7M. Letter-name notation uses C, D, E, F, G, A, and B for the notes do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, and si, respectively.