Ab7 Guitar Chord

Ab7 is the A flat dominant seventh chord, also written G#7. It has four notes: A♭, C, E♭ and G♭. There is no open version, so the standard shape is a six string barre at the 4th fret, and a no barre alternative sits two frets above it.

A six string barre at fret 4 in the E7 grip, middle and ring fingers stacked above it. Mid neck, where a barre needs far less squeeze than at fret 1.

How to play Ab7, step by step

Index finger: press flat across the low E to high E strings at fret 4
Middle finger: 5th fret, G string
Ring finger: 6th fret, A string
Strum all six strings.

This is the F7 grip moved up three frets. If you have been working on F7, Ab7 will feel easier than expected, since the strings press down more willingly this far from the nut.

More ways to play Ab7

There are 3 common Ab7 shapes in total: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these, easiest first. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

Ab7 guitar chord diagram, easier, no barre, played xx6878 — Easier, no barre

Ab7 guitar chord diagram, barre at fret 11, played x 11 13 11 13 11 — Barre at fret 11

Songs that use the Ab7 chord

If the barre chokes or buzzes

B and high E strings crackle: The tail end of the barre carries the least weight. Slide the index snug against the 4th fret and lean it slightly onto its bony edge until both thin strings speak.
D string drops out: Nothing but the barre frets the D string. A drooping middle finger on the G string will rest on it and mute it, so keep that finger tall and on its tip.
The chord sounds strangled: You may be gripping so hard the strings bend sharp. Relax, let the arm pull the neck into the hand, and press only as much as a clean note requires.

What makes it an Ab7

A♭ · C · E♭ · G♭ 1 3 5 ♭7

Ab7 is an A flat major triad (A♭, C, E♭) plus a minor seventh (G♭). The G♭ pulls the chord down a fifth onto D flat, so Ab7 is the V7 of Db major and of its minor twin, usually written C sharp minor. You will rarely find Ab7 in campfire keys. Its natural habitat is jazz, soul and gospel, where flat keys are standard and dominant chords chain into one another, each resolving a fifth below.

Ab vs Ab7

Both chords use the same six string barre at fret 4. A flat major adds a pinky on the 6th fret of the D string; Ab7 leaves that string to the barre, which sounds the G♭ that gives the chord its lean. So if your Ab barre already works, lifting one finger hands you Ab7. Pick the plain major when the harmony rests, the seventh when it needs to fall onto Db or C# minor.

Ab7 chord questions

Is G#7 the same as Ab7?

Yes, note for note. The name depends on context: in C sharp minor the chord is usually written G#7, in flat keys it appears as Ab7.

Can I play Ab7 without a barre?

Yes. The compact shape at frets 6 to 8 puts one finger on each of the middle four strings, no barre required.

What does Ab7 resolve to?

D flat, also written C#. Ab7 is the dominant (V) chord of Db major and of C# minor.

Is there an open Ab7 chord?

No. None of the open strings belong to Ab7, so every shape is fully fretted and movable.

Where would I actually meet Ab7?

Mostly in jazz standards, soul and gospel in flat keys, and as G#7 whenever a song in C sharp minor needs its V chord.