Ab Ukulele Chord

Ab is the A flat major chord, also written G sharp. It has three notes: A flat, C and E flat. The standard shape puts all four fingers to work at the bottom of the neck, which makes Ab one of the harder ukulele chords.

1243A♭E♭A♭C

All four fingers at once: index on the G string at the 1st fret, middle on the C string at the 3rd, ring on the A string at the 3rd, pinky on the E string at the 4th.

How to play Ab on ukulele, step by step

  1. Index finger: 1st fret, G string
  2. Middle finger: 3rd fret, C string
  3. Ring finger: 3rd fret, A string
  4. Pinky finger: 4th fret, E string
  5. Strum all four strings.

Four fingers, four strings, nothing open. Place the index and middle first, then add the ring and pinky. If the full grip fights you, the barre version at the 3rd fret lower on the page trades two of the fingers for one flat index.

More ways to play Ab

There are 3 common Ab shapes: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these further up the neck. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

Barre at fret 3
Ab ukulele chord diagram, barre at fret 3, played 5343

Slightly rounder than the four finger shape, and quicker to land once barres feel normal.

Frets 5 to 8
Ab ukulele chord diagram, frets 5 to 8, played 5886

Bright and clustered near the top of the neck, with the root carried in the middle of the shape on the C string.

If Ab collapses

The pinky note is weak
The pinky holds the E string at the 4th fret, the furthest reach in the shape. Bring the wrist forward so the pinky presses with its tip rather than folding flat.
The strings choke each other
Four fingers in a small space will crowd. Keep the nails short, stand every finger upright, and stagger them slightly rather than forcing a grid.
Changing into Ab is slow
Land the index on the G string at the 1st fret first, every time. With that anchor down, the other three fingers have fixed targets.

What makes it an Ab

A♭ · C · E♭ 1 3 5

A flat major is the root A flat, the major third C and the fifth E flat. No open string helps with any of those notes, which is why every Ab voicing on this page frets all four strings and why the chord costs more effort than its neighbours.

Ab is the I chord in the key of A flat, the IV chord in E flat and the V chord in C#. These are piano, gospel and soul keys; when a ukulele meets Ab, the song usually came from that world.

Ab vs Abm

One note falls: the C in Ab drops to C flat, spelled B on a chart, and the major turns minor.

This site spells the minor chord G#m, the name musicians actually use for it, and its page shows a much lighter shape. The major and minor of this root do not resemble each other under the fingers at all.

Ab chord questions

Is Ab the same chord as G#?

Yes. A flat and G sharp name the same pitch, so the shapes are identical. Flat keys prefer the Ab spelling, sharp keys the G#.

Why is Ab hard on the ukulele?

All four fingers fret a string and nothing rings open, a combination only a few common chords demand. The pinky reach to the 4th fret is the sticking point for most hands.

Can I play Ab with a barre instead?

Yes. The shape at the 3rd fret on this page barres the C, E and A strings with the index and needs only two more fingers.

What is the difference between Ab and Abm?

The third: C in Ab drops a half step in the minor. The minor is spelled G#m on its own page here, and it uses a completely different, easier shape.

What keys use the Ab chord?

Ab is home in A flat, the IV in E flat and the V in C sharp. Expect it in gospel, soul and piano led pop rather than in campfire keys.

Chords to learn next

Other Ab chords