Abm7 Guitar Chord
Ab Minor 7th · also written G#m7 · Ab–Cb–Eb–Gb
Abm7 is the Ab minor 7th chord: Ab–Cb–Eb–Gb. Its sound is mellow and soulful — softer than a plain minor chord, at home in funk, R&B, and jazz ii–V–I progressions. It's also written as G#m7 — same notes, same shapes, different spelling.
Abm7 softens the Ab minor triad with a ♭7 (Gb). It's the standard ii chord in F# major — the first chord of the ii–V–I, jazz's most important progression — and a staple of funk vamps and R&B ballads.
The most common way to play Abm7 is the em7 shape at the 4th fret (4 6 4 4 4 4, low E string to high E string). Below you'll find 9 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 Abm7: 9 Voicings
Frets are listed from the low E string to the high E string. x = don't play that string, 0 = open string.
Abm7 Chord Theory
| Interval | R | ♭3 | 5 | ♭7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | Ab | Cb | Eb | Gb |
Abm7 is built from the Ab minor scale.
Abm7 Chord FAQ
What notes are in the Abm7 chord?
Abm7 contains 4 notes: Ab (R), Cb (♭3), Eb (5), Gb (♭7). The interval formula for a minor 7th chord is R–♭3–5–♭7.
What is the easiest way to play Abm7 on guitar?
Use the em7 shape at the 4th fret: 4 6 4 4 4 4 (frets listed from the low E string to the high E string, x = don't play that string). Abm7 has no open-position shape in standard tuning, so this movable form is the standard starting point.
Is Abm7 a major or minor chord?
Abm7 is built on a minor triad (Ab–Cb–Eb) with the ♭7 added, so it behaves as a minor-family chord.
Is Abm7 the same as G#m7?
Yes. Ab and G# are enharmonic equivalents — the same pitch written two ways. Abm7 and G#m7 use identical shapes and frets; which spelling you see depends on the key of the song.
What keys use the Abm7 chord?
Abm7 appears diatonically in B major (as vi), F# major (as ii), and E major (as iii) — plus it's the home chord (i) of Ab minor.
Related Chords
Hear yourself play Abm7
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