Inversions
The same notes with a different one at the bottom, listed from the lowest note up.
| Position | Notes, low to high | Symbol | Right hand | Left hand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Root position | A♭ C E♭ | A♭ | 1-3-5 | 5-3-1 |
| 1st inversion | C E♭ A♭ | A♭/C | 1-2-5 | 5-3-1 |
| 2nd inversion | E♭ A♭ C | A♭/E♭ | 1-3-5 | 5-2-1 |
About this chord
Its formula is 1 3 5: the major third (M3) and perfect fifth (P5) above the root, A♭.
Counted in semitones from A♭, its notes are 0, 4, 7.
A major chord sounds bright and settled. It is the home chord of every major key, and together with minor chords it carries most of the songs you know.
On the piano it uses the same keys as G♯ (G♯ B♯ D♯). This page spells it A♭, which reads more simply.
In major keys it is I in A♭ major, IV in E♭ major and V in D♭ major.
In natural minor keys it is III in F minor, VI in C minor and VII in B♭ minor.
In harmonic minor it is V in C♯ minor.
In root position, play it with fingers 1-3-5 in the right hand, or 5-3-1 in the left hand (1 is the thumb, 5 the little finger).
Find the root first, place the other fingers over the coloured keys, then press them all together so every note sounds at the same time.
Questions and answers
What notes are in the A♭ major chord?
The A♭ chord has three notes: A♭, C and E♭. Counted from the root, its formula is 1-3-5.
What is the fingering for the A♭ chord?
In root position, use fingers 1-3-5 of the right hand or 5-3-1 of the left hand. For the inversions: 1st inversion 1-2-5 (right hand) or 5-3-1 (left hand) and 2nd inversion 1-3-5 (right hand) or 5-2-1 (left hand).
Which keys contain the A♭ chord?
In major keys it is I in A♭ major, IV in E♭ major and V in D♭ major. In natural minor keys it is III in F minor, VI in C minor and VII in B♭ minor. In harmonic minor it is V in C♯ minor.
Practise it
In other keys
The chord list follows pianochord.io by Enkai Ji, used under the MIT licence. Licence