Piano chords · Major 7th chord
A♭maj7 piano chord (A♭ major seventh)
A♭maj7 (also written G♯maj7) is a major seventh chord with 4 notes. It sounds soft, dreamy and a little jazzy. Here's how to find it, play it and hear it.
A♭ – C – E♭ – G · tap any key to hear it
The notes of A♭maj7
A♭maj7 is built from 4 notes (1 – 3 – 5 – 7):
- A♭, the root
- C, the major third
- E♭, the fifth
- G, the major seventh
A♭ and E♭ are black keys, so keep your hand slightly further in, towards the fallboard, to reach them without stretching.
Fingering
- Right hand: 1 on A♭, 2 on C, 3 on E♭, 5 on G.
- Left hand: 5 on A♭, 3 on C, 2 on E♭, 1 on G.
Press every key at exactly the same moment, with the same weight. If one note sounds louder or a fraction late, the chord sounds uneven: play it slowly and listen for one sound.
Inversions
An inversion is the same notes in a different order, with a different note at the bottom. Inversions let you move between chords without jumping around the keyboard.
| Position | Notes, bottom to top |
|---|---|
| Root position | A♭ – C – E♭ – G |
| 1st inversion | C – E♭ – G – A♭ |
| 2nd inversion | E♭ – G – A♭ – C |
| 3rd inversion | G – A♭ – C – E♭ |
Where A♭maj7 belongs
A♭maj7 is the Imaj7 chord in A♭ major and the IVmaj7 chord in E♭ major. It's everywhere in jazz, soul, bossa nova and gentle pop.
A♭maj7 is A♭ with a major seventh, G, added: just a half step below the root, which gives it its dreamy rub. A♭7 has a minor seventh (G♭) instead, and sounds bluesier.
Hear it in a progression
A♭maj7 – Fm7 – B♭m7 – E♭7: Imaj7 – vi7 – ii7 – V7, a smooth jazz and soul turnaround.
Playing it, but it doesn't sound right? Ivory listens to you play and tells you what's off: a note that's missing, a hand that lands late, a chord that's uneven. Then it shows you how it should go.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the A♭maj7 chord?
A♭maj7 (A♭ major seventh) is made of A♭, C, E♭ and G: the root, major third, fifth and major seventh.
How do you play A♭maj7 on piano?
With your right hand, use fingers 1 on A♭, 2 on C, 3 on E♭, 5 on G, and press them together. With your left hand: 5 on A♭, 3 on C, 2 on E♭, 1 on G.
How is A♭maj7 different from the plain chord?
A♭maj7 is A♭ with a major seventh, G, added: just a half step below the root, which gives it its dreamy rub. A♭7 has a minor seventh (G♭) instead, and sounds bluesier.