Chords in the Key of Ab
The key of Ab major contains seven chords: Ab, Bbm, Cm, Db, Eb, Fm and Gdim. Every B, E, A and D in the key is flattened, and most songs in Ab lean on Ab, Db, Eb and Fm.
The seven chords on guitar
Each chord below opens its own page, with more shapes up the neck, audio for every voicing and a printable chart. Tap the play button on any card to hear it.
The seven chords on piano
The same seven chords on a keyboard, in root position. Each one opens its own page, with every inversion and the finger numbers for both hands.
IAbA♭ C E♭ 
the home chord
iiBbmB♭ D♭ F 
the gentle step up from home
iiiCmC E♭ G 
the darkest of the three minors
IVDbC♯ F G♯ 
the lift away from home, filed as C#
VEbE♭ G B♭ 
the chord that pulls back home
viFmF A♭ C 
the relative minor
vii°GdimG B♭ D♭ 
the tense one, used sparingly
The seventh chords in Ab major
Add one more note to each chord and the key gains its seventh chords, which is where most jazz and a good deal of soul begins.
Common progressions in Ab major
- I - IV - V
Ab Db Eb
Standard in soul and gospel, where the band is usually built around horns and keys rather than guitar.
- I - V - vi - IV
Ab Eb Fm Db
Capo the first fret and play G, D, Em and C shapes to get the same thing on a guitar.
- ii - V - I
Bbm Eb Ab
As Bbm7, Eb7 and Abmaj7 this is one of the most played cadences in jazz.
Why these seven chords
On a stave, Ab major is written with four flats, Bb, Eb, Ab and Db, which is how a reader knows the key before playing a note.
Four flats places Ab on the flat side of the circle of fifths, among the keys wind and brass players read most comfortably. That is why so much big band and soul music sits here.
The majors are Ab, Db and Eb. The minors are Bbm, Cm and Fm, with Fm the relative minor.
On guitar
Every chord in Ab needs a barre. Guitar music is rarely written in this key, and when a guitarist meets it the song usually came from a horn section or a singer.
A capo at the first fret with G major shapes is the usual route, and a capo at the fourth fret with E shapes is the other.
On piano
Ab is a warm, comfortable key on a piano. The scale mixes black and white keys in a pattern that sits well under the hand, which is part of why it is so common in soul and gospel.
The tonic chord Ab uses two black keys with the middle finger on a white one.
Questions about the key of Ab
What are the 7 chords in the key of Ab?
Ab, Bbm, Cm, Db, Eb, Fm and Gdim. Ab, Db and Eb are major, Bbm, Cm and Fm are minor, and Gdim is diminished.
Why is Ab common in soul and gospel?
Those styles are built around horns and keyboards rather than guitars, and the flat keys are the comfortable ones for brass and saxophone.
What is the relative minor of Ab major?
F minor, with the same four flats and the same seven chords.
What do the numbers next to each chord mean?
They are each chord's place in the key, written as Roman numerals. In Ab major the I is Ab, the IV is Db and the V is Eb. The numbering holds in every key, so the V of C is G. That is why progressions get written as numerals like I, V, vi, IV: learn one and you have it in all twelve keys.
Why are some numerals capitals and some lowercase?
The case tells you the chord quality. Capitals are major, which in Ab major means Ab, Db and Eb. Lowercase are minor: Bbm, Cm and Fm. The small circle on vii° means diminished, and here that is Gdim.