Abm Guitar Chord
Ab Minor · also written G#m · Ab–Cb–Eb
Abm is the Ab minor chord: Ab–Cb–Eb. Its sound is dark and emotional — the melancholic counterpart to major, built on the flat 3rd. It's also written as G#m — same notes, same shapes, different spelling.
Abm is the relative minor of B major, so the two share every note and swap constantly in songs. You'll also find it as the ii chord in F# major and the vi chord in B major — the emotional pivot of countless pop progressions.
The most common way to play Abm is the e-shape minor at the 4th fret (4 6 6 4 4 4, low E string to high E string). Below you'll find 6 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 Abm: 6 Voicings
Frets are listed from the low E string to the high E string. x = don't play that string, 0 = open string.
Abm Chord Theory
| Interval | R | ♭3 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | Ab | Cb | Eb |
Abm is built from the Ab minor scale.
Abm Chord FAQ
What notes are in the Abm chord?
Abm contains 3 notes: Ab (R), Cb (♭3), Eb (5). The interval formula for a minor chord is R–♭3–5.
What is the easiest way to play Abm on guitar?
Use the e-shape minor at the 4th fret: 4 6 6 4 4 4 (frets listed from the low E string to the high E string, x = don't play that string). Abm has no open-position shape in standard tuning, so this movable form is the standard starting point.
What is the difference between Abm and Ab?
One note: the 3rd. Ab major uses the major 3rd (C) while Ab minor flattens it to B. That half-step is the entire difference between the bright minor sound and the darker major sound.
Is Abm the same as G#m?
Yes. Ab and G# are enharmonic equivalents — the same pitch written two ways. Abm and G#m use identical shapes and frets; which spelling you see depends on the key of the song.
What keys use the Abm chord?
Abm 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 Abm
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