Ab7 Guitar Chord
Ab Dominant 7th · also written G#7 · Ab–C–Eb–Gb
Ab7 is the Ab dominant 7th chord: Ab–C–Eb–Gb. Its sound is bluesy and unresolved — the dominant 7th wants to pull somewhere, which is why it powers blues turnarounds and V chords. It's also written as G#7 — same notes, same shapes, different spelling.
Ab7 is the V7 chord in the key of Db, which is where its pull comes from — the ♭7 (Gb) rubs against the major 3rd and demands resolution. In a 12-bar blues in Ab, every chord (I7, IV7, V7) gets this dominant treatment.
The most common way to play Ab7 is the barre shape at the 1st fret (x x 1 1 1 2, low E string to high E string). Below you'll find 10 ways to play it across the neck, from open position to barre and shell voicings, with the theory behind the chord and the progressions it lives in.
How to Play Ab7: 10 Voicings
Frets are listed from the low E string to the high E string. x = don't play that string, 0 = open string.
Ab7 Chord Theory
| Interval | R | 3 | 5 | ♭7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | Ab | C | Eb | Gb |
Ab7 is built from the Ab major scale.
Ab7 Chord FAQ
What notes are in the Ab7 chord?
Ab7 contains 4 notes: Ab (R), C (3), Eb (5), Gb (♭7). The interval formula for a dominant 7th chord is R–3–5–♭7.
What is the easiest way to play Ab7 on guitar?
Use the barre shape at the 1st fret: x x 1 1 1 2 (frets listed from the low E string to the high E string, x = don't play that string). Ab7 has no open-position shape in standard tuning, so this movable form is the standard starting point.
Is Ab7 a major or minor chord?
Ab7 is built on a major triad (Ab–C–Eb) with the ♭7 added, so it behaves as a major-family chord.
Is Ab7 the same as G#7?
Yes. Ab and G# are enharmonic equivalents — the same pitch written two ways. Ab7 and G#7 use identical shapes and frets; which spelling you see depends on the key of the song.
What keys use the Ab7 chord?
Ab7 appears diatonically in Ab major (as I), Eb major (as IV), and Db major (as V) — plus F minor, its relative minor key.
Related Chords
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