Abmaj7 Chord on Guitar: How To Play the Ab Major Seventh chord
Welcome to our tutorial on the Ab maj7 chord. This beautiful chord, belonging to the Major Chords family, is composed of the notes Ab, C, Eb, and G. The intervals that build this chord are 1, 3, 5, and 7, which respectively represent the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, and Major Seventh.
Understanding the intervals that compose a chord is crucial in mastering guitar music theory. If you need a refresher on this topic, we recommend checking out our tutorial about fretboard intervals. This will help you understand how chords are built by stacking intervals.
The Ab maj7 chord is a popular choice in many music styles, particularly in jazz. If you're interested in jazz chord progressions that often utilize the maj7, m7 and 7 chord types, we have a great tutorial about jazz chord progressions you might find helpful.
In this tutorial, we'll provide you with chord diagrams and fretboard patterns that show the tones composing the Ab maj7 chord. If you want to delve deeper into the world of chords, our full tutorial about guitar chords of all types is a great resource.
Lastly, if you come across a chord shape and you're unsure how to name it, our interactive tool to analyze chord shapes can be a big help. Happy playing!
Notes that compose the Ab maj7 chord:
How to create the Major Seventh chord:
Ab Major Seventh Guitar Chord Shapes
Chord boxes are sorted from the easiest to the hardest. Learn how to read chord diagrams.
If you have difficulties with bar chord shapes, check the Bar Chords Tips tutorial.
You can also use this accessible chords page with written diagrams instruction.
Position 1
Movable
Position 2
Movable
Position 3
Movable
Position 4
Movable
Position 5
Open
Position 6
Open
Position 7
Open
Position 8
Movable
Position 9
Movable
Position 10
Barre
Movable
Position 11
Barre
Movable
Position 12
Barre
Movable
Position 13
Barre
Movable
Position 14
Barre
Movable
You can find more shapes in our all guitar chords online library. If you
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FAQ
What notes make up an Ab maj7 chord on guitar?
The Ab maj7 chord is composed of four specific notes: Ab, C, Eb, and G. These notes are derived from the Ab major scale and represent the root, major third, perfect fifth, and major seventh intervals, respectively.
What do the numbers 1, 3, 5, and 7 signify when learning an Ab maj7 chord?
These numbers represent the specific intervals from the root note (Ab) that define the chord's structure. The '1' is the root (Ab), '3' is the major third (C), '5' is the perfect fifth (Eb), and '7' is the major seventh (G). Understanding these intervals helps in constructing and recognizing the chord on the fretboard.
How does the 'maj7' part of the Ab maj7 chord name affect its sound and construction?
The 'maj7' in Ab maj7 indicates that the chord includes a Major Seventh interval (G) in addition to the root (Ab), major third (C), and perfect fifth (Eb). This specific seventh interval gives the chord its characteristic rich and often 'smooth' sound, distinguishing it from a simple major triad.
Why is the Ab maj7 chord considered part of the 'Major Chords family'?
The Ab maj7 chord belongs to the Major Chords family because its fundamental structure includes a major third and a perfect fifth above the root. The addition of the major seventh interval simply extends this major quality, adding complexity without changing its basic major tonality.
In what types of music is the Ab maj7 chord commonly used?
The Ab maj7 chord is a versatile and expressive chord often found in a variety of musical styles. It is particularly popular and frequently used in jazz music, where its sophisticated sound contributes to common jazz chord progressions.