Chords in the key of A♭
The key of A♭ major has seven chords: A♭ · B♭m · Cm · D♭ · E♭ · Fm · Gdim. Tap any chord to hear it.
Keys lit: the A♭ major scale. Tap a chord to light its notes.
The A♭ major chord chart
| Degree | Triad | Notes | 7th chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | A♭ | A♭ C E♭ | A♭maj7 (Imaj7) | Tonic: home |
| ii | B♭m | B♭ D♭ F | B♭m7 (ii7) | Pre-dominant |
| iii | Cm | C E♭ G | Cm7 (iii7) | Tonic substitute |
| IV | D♭ | D♭ F A♭ | D♭maj7 (IVmaj7) | Subdominant |
| V | E♭ | E♭ G B♭ | E♭7 (V7) | Dominant: pulls home |
| vi | Fm | F A♭ C | Fm7 (vi7) | Relative minor |
| vii° | Gdim | G B♭ D♭ | Gm7♭5 (viiø7) | Leading-tone chord |
Key of A♭ at a glance
- Scale: A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭ F G
- Key signature: 4 flats (A♭ B♭ D♭ E♭)
- Major chords: A♭, D♭, E♭
- Minor chords: B♭m, Cm, Fm
- Diminished: Gdim
- Relative minor: F minor
The pattern of chord qualities is the same in every major key: major, minor, minor, major, major, minor, diminished. It comes from stacking every other note of the scale on each degree.
Common progressions in A♭
| Progression | Chords in A♭ | Play |
|---|---|---|
| I–V–vi–IV (pop) | A♭ – E♭ – Fm – D♭ | |
| I–IV–V (rock and folk) | A♭ – D♭ – E♭ – A♭ | |
| I–vi–IV–V (50s) | A♭ – Fm – D♭ – E♭ | |
| ii–V–I (jazz) | B♭m – E♭ – A♭ – A♭ | |
| vi–IV–I–V (sensitive) | Fm – D♭ – A♭ – E♭ |
More ideas by mood: pop, sad and jazz chord progressions, or loop your own in the chord progression generator.
Other keys
Questions
What chords are in the key of A♭?
The key of A♭ major has seven chords: A♭, B♭m, Cm, D♭, E♭, Fm, Gdim. In Roman numerals that is I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi and vii°.
What are the I, IV and V chords in A♭?
A♭ (I), D♭ (IV) and E♭ (V). These three major chords can harmonise most simple melodies in A♭ major.
What is the relative minor of A♭ major?
F minor. It uses the same notes and key signature (4 flats), starting on the sixth degree, F.
What notes are in the A♭ major scale?
A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G, then A♭ again an octave higher.