To play the Ab major piano chord, begin by locating the note Ab, which is the middle of the three black keys. Once you’ve found it, combine Ab with C and Eb to create the Ab major piano chord.
Notes in the Ab major chord
The Ab major piano chord consists of three notes Ab, C and Eb. These three notes together create the Ab major triad, a bright and happy chord.
To play this chord in its root position (basic form) with your right hand, use these fingers:
- Eb – Fourth finger (4)
- C – Second finger (2)
- Ab – Thumb (1)
For the left hand, use the following fingers:
- Eb – Thumb (1)
- C – Third finger (3)
- Ab – Fifth finger (5)
The inversions of Ab major chord
The inversions of the Ab major piano chord are created by rearranging the notes in a chord. These chord inversions allow you to achieve different harmonic textures and smoother transitions between chords.
The Ab major piano chord has two inversions:
- First Inversion: This inversion moves Ab to the top, placing C as the lowest note.
- Second Inversion: This inversion shifts both Ab and C to the top, making Eb the lowest note.
How to play Ab major chord first inversion?
To play the first inversion of the Ab major piano chord, start with C as the lowest note. Next, play Eb above it and finally, place Ab at the top. This change of the note stacking is useful for smooth chord transitions.
For the right hand, use these fingers:
- Ab – Fifth finger (5)
- Eb – Middle finger (3)
- C – Thumb (1)
For the left hand, use these fingers:
- Ab – Thumb (1)
- Eb – Third finger (3)
- C – Fifth finger (5)
How to play Ab major chord second inversion?
To play the 2nd inversion of the Ab major piano chord, start with Eb as the lowest note. Then, play Ab above it, and finally, add C at the top. This alternative voicing gives the chord a fresh feel while making it simpler to transition fluidly between chord progressions when used well.
For the right hand, use these fingers:
- C – Fifth finger (5)
- Ab – Middle finger (3)
- Eb – Thumb (1)
For the left hand, use these fingers:
- C – Thumb (1)
- Ab – Third finger (3)
- Eb – Fifth finger (5)
Ab major chord progression
The Ab major chord progression appears in an assortment of musical genres, including pop, rock, jazz and classical. These chord progressions contribute to dynamic movement and create the emotional and harmonic backbone of compositions. An Ab major chord progression often includes chords like Ab, Db, Eb and Fm.
Here are some popular Ab major piano chord progressions:
- Fm – Ab – Db – Eb
- Ab – Db – Eb – Eb
- Ab – Db – Ab – Eb
- Db – Eb – Db – Ab
Playing these chord patterns regularly will improve your familiarity with Ab major on piano and make transitions between chords feel more natural.
These progressions highlight the versatility of the Ab major chord progression, offering a range of moods from uplifting to powerful. They are a great way to put your knowledge of piano chords to the test. To understand these chord symbols and how to play them, check out Skoove’s tailor-made beginner chord progression courses.
Piano chords generator
💡 If you are reading this from a mobile device, rotate it to display the tool in full width.
1. Click on “Chords”
2. Choose the “Root” of the chord
3. Choose the “Chord qualities” (major, minor, etc.)
4. Click “Display”
Popular songs to play with the Ab major piano chord
All the Things You Are – Frank Sinatra
Author of this blog post:
Susana Pérez Posada
With over seven years of piano education and a deep passion for music therapy, Susana brings a unique blend of expertise to Skoove. A graduate in Music Therapy from SRH Hochschule Heidelberg and an experienced classical pianist from Universidad EAFIT, she infuses her teaching with a holistic approach that transcends traditional piano lessons. Susana’s writings for Skoove combine her rich musical knowledge with engaging storytelling, enriching the learning experience for pianists of all levels. Away from the piano, she loves exploring new places and immersing herself in a good book, believing these diverse experiences enhance her creative teaching style.
Published by Lydia Ogn from the Skoove team
